| Eastern Redbud |
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| Eastern Redbud is a native tree whose attractive pink foliage has made it appealing for use in landscaping. |
| This tree does not seem to be declining in Ohio, however invasive plants like Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) and Morrow’s Honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii) may prove to be problematic in the future as both of these species compete for space and nutrients in Ohio’s forests. |
| Eastern Redbuds are also subject to browsing by White-tailed Deer. An increase in numbers of deer may prove to be problematic to Eastern Redbuds throughout the state. At last count Ohio ’s deer population numbered approximately 650,000 animals. |
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Eastern Redbud courtesy of Mrs. W.D. Bransford, The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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Creating Habitat with Eastern Redbuds
One of the simplest things that you can do to benefit Eastern Redbuds is to plant one or more in your yard, neighborhood, or community park.
Eastern Redbuds, besides being a great ornamental tree, are an important habitat component for a variety of different animals.
- Pollen produced by redbud flowers is a primary food source for native bees, especially in the earlier part of spring as these bees begin to increase their activity.
- Henry’s Elfin Butterflies (Callophrys henrici) rely heavily on Eastern Redbud as a food source throughout the life time of the butterfly. Adults utilize the flowers as a source of nectar and larvae feed on the buds of the tree. Henry’s Elfin Butterflies is a locally common species found in a number of locations in Ohio .
- Eastern Redbuds are a host plant for the larvae of the IO moth (Automeris io); a striking Saturniid moth related to Luna moths.
- Seeds of the Eastern Redbud have been used as a source of food by chickadees, Northern Bobwhite, and Wild Turkeys, and a number of birds utilize these trees as nesting habitat.
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IO Moth Caterpillar courtesy of Edward L. Manigault, Clemson University |
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IO Moth courtesy of Ronald F. Billings, Texas Forest Service |
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Benefits of Eastern Redbuds
Besides their benefits to wildlife, Eastern Redbuds can be a valuable addition to your landscaping.
- Eastern Redbuds are acknowledged as a tree that can be used to reduce water usage in and around the backyard.
- On larger rural and agricultural properties redbuds can be used to help create a windbreak which reduces soil loss due to wind erosion.
- On properties with streams redbuds can be used to create riparian buffer habitat to help prevent soil erosion and provide habitat for birds and other wildlife along waterways.
Landscaping with Eastern Redbuds
Redbuds come in a number of different varieties. When choosing one for your yard it is probably best to select a native variety, as many man-made varieties have different shapes and flower colors that may affect how wildlife utilize them.
For more information on Eastern Redbuds check out the following links:
Ohio State Horticultural Science
USDA:NRCS Plant Guide
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