Not just a twig— a redbud revival
By Marcy Johnson
On Saturday April 24, Rhea volunteers converged on Moraine St Park to weed and mulch a long-neglected native species planter located at the entrance to the Ranger’s office. As we finished and were packing up, one of the Moraine State Park employees asked if anyone would like an Eastern Redbud seedling to plant at home. I have always loved this tree. That love stems from the happiness that overcomes me in the very early spring to know winter is almost over when I see the Eastern Redbud’s bright, striking pink flowers all along the PA Turnpike as I travel to our other offices on the east coast.
Well, as you might have guessed I took the “twig” and planted it, not expecting it to live. But it is living and thriving in my yard.
A brief history of the Eastern Redbud from the Arbor Day Foundation:
The redbud is a tree that is valued far more than its small size might suggest. This lovely harbinger of spring has been called “a breath of fresh air after a long winter” and no less than “one of our most beautiful native trees” by tree expert Michael Dirr.
What makes the redbud so special is its gift of spring color and its hardy adaptability. This little tree, which usually grows no taller than 30 feet, bears showy pink flowers in very early spring, flowers lasting for two to three weeks. The leaves also emerge with a reddish color, giving way to a lustrous summer green and finally to a striking fall yellow. Even in winter this little tree is pleasant to behold, with its arching limbs and rounded crown. Its size and adaptability make it as welcome in a forest setting as in a home landscape, where it can serve admirably as a specimen tree or in groups.
Early settlers found the blossoms of the redbud a delicious addition to their salads. Early folk healers used the bark to treat common maladies and sometimes even leukemia. And many Native Americans chose the wood of the California redbud for their bows. But the sheer springtime beauty of the redbud may be its greatest hold on the American spirit.”