21  REDBUD

Redbud trees are small, deciduous trees famous for announcing spring with an explosion of vibrant, magenta-pink flowers that bloom directly on bare branches before their leaves even emerge. Scientifically known as Cercis canadensis (the Eastern Redbud), they typically grow 20 to 30 feet tall with a beautiful, spreading canopy. Once the spectacular spring floral show winds down, the tree transitions into large, distinctively heart-shaped leaves that turn a cheerful greenish-yellow in the autumn. They thrive in full sun to partial shade and adapt beautifully to various soil types, making them a popular choice for residential urban spaces.

Redbuds have some intesting quirks and historical tidbits.  For starters, their stunning blossoms are entirely edible and boast a crisp, citrusy flavor; Native Americans and early colonists tossed them into salads, pickled them, or used them to treat colds. They also have a habit of "cauliflory"—meaning flowers grow straight out of the mature, woody trunk and older limbs, rather than just new twigs, giving them a whimsical, fuzzy appearance in April. Furthermore, because they belong to the legume family (Fabaceae), they produce long, flat seed pods in the fall that look like dangling snow peas, which serve as a crucial winter buffet for local songbirds.