Oklahoma State Tree

Oklahoma State Tree

Eastern Redbud  

Fabaceae Cercis canadensis eastern Redbud tree
 
Leaf
Alternate, simple, cordate in shape with an entire margin, 3 to 5 inches
long and wide. The leaves are thin and papery and may be slightly hairy below.
Flower

Very showy, light to dark pink in color, 1/2 inch long, appearing in
clusters in March to May, before the leaves.

Fruit

Fruits are flattened, dry, brown, pea-like pods, 2 to 4 inches long
that contain flat, elliptical, brown seeds 1/4 inch long. Maturing in July to August.

Twig

Slender and zigzag, nearly black in color, spotted with lighter lenticels.
Winter buds are tiny, rounded, and dark red to chestnut in color.

Bark

Smooth, later scaly with ridges somewhat apparent. Dark in color. May
have some maroon patches evident.

Form

A large shrub or small tree with a short, often twisted trunk and spreading branches.

Copyright 2019 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental
Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen,
Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag
Handbook 654; range map source information