Eastern Redbud
Cercis canadensis
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 20–30 ft tall and 25–35 ft wide, slow-growing, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade to dappled sun. Eastern redbud is borderline in our alkaline soils and intense sun, choose Western seed strains ('Oklahoma', 'Minnesota Strain', var. texensis) and plant in a protected microclimate.
medium water20–30 ft tall and 25–35 ft wideDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Rating
- Recommended
- Botanical name
- Cercis canadensis
- Variety / cultivar
- Eastern
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 20–30 ft tall and 25–35 ft wide
- Mature form
- Spreading
- Spacing / clearance
- ~35 ft of clearance
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–9
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Medium
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade, dappled sun. Flowers best with more sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 5.5–7.8
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Bloom color
- pink, purple
- Bloom time
- early spring, mid spring
- Pollinator value
- high
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Cold HardinessThe average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- Watch: ExposureIt wants shelter; open, windy, reflected-heat sites batter it, so tuck it against a building or a windbreak.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Frequently asked questions
- Is Eastern Redbud good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Eastern Redbud is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Eastern Redbud get?
- It matures to about 20–30 ft tall and 25–35 ft wide.
- How much room does Eastern Redbud need?
- Give Eastern Redbud about 35 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Eastern Redbud grow into?
- Eastern Redbud typically grows into a wide, spreading habit, broader than it is tall, give it room and keep it back from buildings. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Eastern Redbud hardy on the Front Range?
- Eastern Redbud is hardy in USDA 4–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How much water does Eastern Redbud need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Eastern Redbud grow?
- Eastern Redbud is a slow-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Eastern Redbud live?
- Eastern Redbud has a moderate lifespan for a Front Range tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is Eastern Redbud native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Eastern Redbud deer-resistant?
- Eastern Redbud is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
