What are some facts about redbud trees?

The scientific name of the eastern redbud tree is Cercis canadensis, and it is the state tree of Oklahoma. It is a deciduous tree with pink or purple flowers in the spring and broad heart-shaped or rounded leaves.

Redbud trees grow from 12 to 18 inches per year and can reach a height of about 30 feet. Redbud flowers are edible and sometimes appear in salads or fried dishes. Deer, squirrels and many types of birds, including pheasants and cardinals, eat the seeds of the redbud. The redbud grows mainly in the Eastern United States, extending as far west as Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas.