Eastern Redbud

The eastern redbud is a multi-stemmed understory tree that grows best in average, well-drained soil in either full sun or partial shade. This tree is popular in the landscape and can stand alone as a specimen plant or in mass plantings, such as along the edge of wooded areas. Pink flowers cover the bare branches in the spring before the tree gains its iconic heart-shaped leaves. This species is a browse favorite for the animals at Lincoln Park Zoo. Bees utilize the redbud flower’s pollen and nectar. Birds feast on the tree’s legume-shaped seed pods, which turn from green to brown in the fall and persist through the winter.