1. Redbud Cercis Canadensis By: Daniel Hughes

2. Classification KingdomPlantae SubkingdomTracheobionta SuperdivisionSpermatophyta DivisionMagnoliophyta ClassMagnoliopsida SubclassRosidae OrderFabales FamilyFabaceae GenusCercis SpeciesCercis canadensis http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile? symbol=CECA4

3. Shape, Form, Type The Redbud tree is a small tree, in comparison with other trees, with outstretching branches and a thin short trunk. This tree is a poplar ornamental tree. It flowers very early. http://w ww.treeh elp.com/ trees/red bud/inde x.asp Figure 1: Redbud Tree http:// blisstr ee.co m/files /2007/ 07/red bud2.j pg

4. Bark The bark of the Redbud Tree is a smooth dark gray/brown color. The bark furrows with age. http://forestry.abo ut.com/od/forestp hotogalleries/ig/D ormant-Winter- Tree- Gallery/Redbud- Bark.htm Figure 2: Bark of Redbud Tree

5. Twig The branches are spreading. The twigs are slender and they will zigzag. The twigs are almost black and are spotted with lighter lenticels http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/C ercis_cana densis http://ww w.clemso n.edu/ext ension/hg ic/plants/l andscape /trees/hgi c1021.ht ml Figure 3: Twigs of Redbud Tree

6. Leaf The Redbud Tree has broad, flat and simple leaves. They are not lobed and contain smooth margins The leaves alternate and are heart-shaped. Figure 4: Leaf of Redbud Tree http://www.landscape- america.co m/landscap es/trees/ea stern_redb ud.html http://ww w.oplin.or g/tree/fact %20pages/ redbud/re dbud.html

7. Bud The bud of the Redbud Tree is a magenta color, but once the bud blooms and becomes a flower, the color changes to a pink. Figure 5: Bud of Redbud Tree http://ww w.clemso n.edu/ext ension/hg ic/plants/l andscape /trees/hgi c1021.ht ml

8. Flower Its flowers appear during the spring time and are light to vibrant pink in color and the flowers are almost a half inch long. The flowers of the Redbud tree appear in clusters on bare stems. Sometimes, the flowers even appear on the trunk itself. www.redbudtr ee.org Figure 6: Flower of Redbud http://www.redb udtree.org/

9. Fruit The fruit are long, flat pods and are 3 inches in length. They are produced from late summer into fall, and they will remain on the tree during winter. They become noticeable in the fall when the leaves drop, and to some people are unsightly when mature. Figure 7: Fruit of Redbud tree http:// z.abou t.com/ d/fore stry/1/ 0/H/i/ redbu d_fruit.jpg http://w ww.cle mson.ed u/exten sion/hgi c/plants /landsca pe/trees /hgic10 21.html

10. Habitat and Range The redbud tree does well in most types of soil, but it prefers moist and well- drained areas. But if they are permanently wet, the tree does not do well. It tolerates acid or alkaline soils. Although it enjoys full sun, it prefers some shade when it’s very hot. Although it will grow in fairly dense shade, the more sun it has, the more it will bloom. Figure 8: Range Map of Redbud tree http: //pla nts.u sda.g ov/ja va/pr ofile ?sym bol= CECA 4 http:// www.cl emson. edu/ext ension/ hgic/pl ants/la ndscap e/trees /hgic10 21.html

11. Uses This tree is mostly used for its showy flower. It is an ornamental tree that people can place in their yard or garden to make it look nicer. Figure 9: Beauty of Redbud tree http://m edia.pho tobucket. com/ima ge/red% 20bud%2 0tree/elit emidwes t/redbud 3.jpg http://ww w.clemso n.edu/ext ension/hg ic/plants/l andscape /trees/hgi c1021.ht ml

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