Plant Information

Specimen Info

Category
Tree
Common Name
Eastern Redbud
Scientific Name
Cercis canadensis
Photo of plant
Additional Photo
Optional Link
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cercis_canadensis
Plant Status
Native
Observation Date
June 19, 2020
Location of Plant
Tanner, WV
County in West Virginia
Gilmer
Seed Collection
I collected seeds while on a bike-ride in Columbia Maryland in the Fall of 2017. I kept them in the refrigerator in a jar. I left them in their pod. Most of them molded but I had a few viable. (This was my first time doing this.) Around Valentine's Day (Feb 14), I scored the seeds and planted them in starter pots. I had about 24. I put them outside on my porch in Maryland because they need to stratify further in the cold. When it warmed up, I put them in the sunshine and kept them watered. About 5 germinated. 3 survived to sapling stage. I planted them in Tanner WV in the fall of 2018. One mysteriously died this year. I have two remaining. I germinated another seed in 2019 and planted it here but it did not survive.
Transplanting
Other Information
I love redbud trees. I wanted to surround both my houses with them (I have a house in Elkridge Maryland and one in Tanner WV.) I got three saplings from a neighbor in Elkridge, and also a nursery specimen, which are thriving in Elkridge. In Tanner, there are some native specimens growing here (I don't know if my grandparents planted them or if they are wild.) (See second photo.) I have never been here when they were in bloom so I didn't see it until last year! I got some seeds from one last year but never tried to germinate them because of COVID and being stuck in Maryland. I did try to germinate 48 seeds from another tree in Elkridge and all failed. They were trees planted in landscaping so I don't know if they are bred to not germinate? They had a lot of seeds and I was excited, but not a one grew. Anyway, the particular specimen in the first photo is thriving. I was heartbroken to see the largest of the 3 die this spring. I don't know what did it. It seemed to have been cut off underground. A third specimen is in the back yard and still alive. We originally planted it in an area that was too wet, so in the fall of 2019 we moved it up the hill where it drains better, and it is happier this year. I have to get out here next spring because I see so many redbuds on the roadsides, so I know our bike-rides will be magical! I have become interested in agroforestry since starting my maple sugaring, and as redbud pods are technically edible, as are the flowers, I thought it would be good to try to grow some.
Recorded By
Tina Gainer Barton