Eastern redbud
North American redbud flowering pink-purple on bare branches; a useful early spring nectar and pollen source for honey bees.
- Nectar
- Medium
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 6-10 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Eastern redbud is a small tree that grows wild along woodland edges in eastern North America. It is very similar to the Judas tree, Cercis siliquastrum, which is native to Turkey; it differs in its thinner, heart-shaped leaves and greater cold hardiness. Its pink-purple flowers open in clusters on the branches, and even on the old trunk, before the leaves. Honey bees collect nectar and pollen from these flowers; in its homeland it is one of the well-known bee trees of early spring.
Flowering
It flowers for about 2–3 weeks in April–May, largely overlapping with fruit-tree blossom.
Honey and pollen
It does not give a honey of its own; it contributes to mixed spring honeys. Its main contribution is supplying nectar and pollen just when colony build-up speeds up.
Note for the beekeeper
It is planted as a park and street tree. Under Turkish conditions the native Judas tree is usually the better choice; eastern redbud is a good alternative for colder, continental areas.