07/30/2019
Tennessee Pink Flowering Redbud
The Ohio Chapter ISA continued efforts is to advance responsible tree care practices through research, technology, and education while promoting the benefits of trees. This month Tree-Of-The-Month is the Tennessee Pink Flowering Redbud (Cercis canadensis 'Tennessee Pink'). The Tennessee Pink Redbud is s selection of the tree commonly known as Eastern Redbud. The Eastern redbud is the state’s tree of the State of Oklahoma and belongs to a plant family called Fabaceae and the genus called Cercis. There are nine species of redbuds known in the world with two native to North America. The Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is most frequently listed as having three botanical varieties; var. canadensis (the typical form)ed forms such as ‘Floating Clouds’ and ‘Silver Cloud. Redbuds are easy to grow from zone 5 through zone 8 and are well suited to all parts of Arkansas. Red Buds are best grown in full sun, but the forms with colored foliage may benefit from late afternoon shade to lessen the fading problems associated with summertime heat. Plants need good drainage but are tolerant of a wide array of soil conditions and, once well established, have considerable drought tolerance.
The Ohio Chapter ISA recommends working with an ISA Certified Arborist when selecting or caring for any tree in your landscape. To better guide you on the vital plant information for the Red Buds use our friendly users guide below:
Tree Selection Tips
| Genus | Cercus |
| Plant Family | Fabaceae |
| Life cycle | Perennial woody |
| Origin | Native to most of the eastern United States |
| Habitat | Part shade, sun; average moisture; deciduous forests, urban and rural landscapes |
| Tree form | Round to Oval (see reference) |
| Does it produce shade? | No |
| Soil | Moist, well-drained, variable pH, rich and deep |
| Bloom season | April-May (Showy red/pink/white flowers in early spring, emerging just before or with the foliage) |
| Fruit | 4-inch-long flattened pea pods that turn gray-black in the fall and persist on the trees throughout the winter. |
| Plant height | 20 feet upright forms and 6-8 feet with weeping forms |
| Plant spread | Equal to height |
| Growth rate | Medium |
| Suitable for planting under or near electric(utility) wires | Yes |
| Potential Concerns | Trunk canker is a serious disease of Redbud and is evident as sunken depressions in the bark of large branches or trunks, which often begin to heal before the tree eventually dies. Verticillium wilt and root rot are two additional, serious pathogens that affect the roots often due to wet soils but become evident as entire branches rapidly die. Some pests such as scales may also cause problems, but the tree diseases cited above wreck havoc on Redbud and limit its lifespan. |
Written by Mark A. Webber BCMA, CPH, LTE, MArborA, OCMNT, TRAQ
Sources:
http://www.phytoneuron.net/PhytoN-Cercideae.pdf
https://www.uaex.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/redbud-cultivars-4-25-14.aspx
http://forestry.ohiodnr.gov/redbud
Photograph sources Mark A. Webber 2019