Eastern Redbud is a small to medium sized deciduous ornamental tree, often maturing at 15 feet tall by 15 feet wide, but can become twice as large under optimum conditions. It has an upright vase growth habit in youth becoming more rounded with age. It is fast growing in youth becoming moderate with age. Redbuds are best known for their pink to purple-lavender, pea-like flowers, which bloom profusely in April before the foliage emerges and persists for two to three weeks. Flowers may be directly on the trunk or branches, but most are on two-year-old wood. Redbud features heart shaped leaves, emerging bronzed to medium green, slowly turning to dark green, 3 to 5 inches across, turning yellow in fall. Its fruits are brown flat pods about 2 to 3 inches long. The trunk of this small tree usually has branches close to the ground resulting in a spreading, flat-topped to rounded crown.
