eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)
First place champion eastern redbud (removed) in Denver.
Species info:
Leaves: Broad, heart-shaped leaves 3–5 inches wide; simple, alternate arrangement. Dark green in summer; may turn yellow in fall.
Leaflets: None (simple leaves).
Leaf Surface: Smooth and thin; upper surface medium to dark green, underside slightly paler. Leaves emerge reddish and mature to green.
Bark: Brownish-gray, slightly furrowed; becomes flaky with age. Young stems start reddish-brown before turning gray.
Flowers: Showy pea-like blossoms in clusters along branches and sometimes the trunk. Buds are reddish-purple, opening to bright pink flowers (white-flowered cultivars exist). Bloom period lasts 2–3 weeks in mid-April.
Fruit: Flat, bean-like pods 2–4 inches long and about ½ inch wide. Green in summer, turning brown and often persisting through winter.
Botanical: Cercis canadensis
Family: Fabaceae
Mature Height: Typically 15–25 feet in Colorado landscapes
Canopy Spread: About 20 feet; often wider in multi-stem specimens
Foliage Type: Deciduous
Flower: Spectacular early-spring bloom of pink to reddish-purple flowers (white forms available)
Fruit: Small pods with no ornamental value
Fall Color: Not notable
Tree Shape: Broad, spreading crown; often multi-stemmed unless trained to a single trunk
Growth Rate: Slow to medium
Water Use: Moderate; prefers consistent moisture but tolerates Colorado’s alkaline soils once established
Hardiness: Zones 4–7
Soil Preference: Well-drained soils; adaptable to clay and alkaline soils common in Colorado
Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade (best flowering in full sun)
Wildlife Value: Flowers attract early-season pollinators; seeds consumed by birds and small mammals
Wood: Hard, dense, and fine-grained; not commonly used commercially but has attractive reddish tones
Pests/Pathogens: .No major pests or diseases currently noted in Colorado
Planting Recommendations: Recommended for most sites, but best used in protected sites as it is vulnerable to exposure.
Information Sources:
Front Range Tree Recommendation List
Michael Dirr, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (University of Georgia, 1990)
