Cercis canadensis
(Canadian Redbud, Eastern Redbud, Judas Tree)

Origin:  Native to North America
Family:  Fabaceae  (Pea)
Light:  Sun-part shade
Height:  15-30'
Spacing:  15-25'
Blooms:  Very showy, magenta, pea-shaped, edible, on bare stems just before leaves appear, late Winter
Foliage:  Deciduous, reddish purple ages to dark green then to yellow, heart-shaped
Seedpods:  Hard, dry, brown
Soil:  Well-drained, rich, moist, highly acidic, neutral, composted, drought tolerant
Water:  Low
Uses:  Xeriscaping, landscaping, Spring/Summer/Fall interests
Propagation:  Seeds (Sow fresh seeds directly in Fall or scarify if using stored seeds), softwood cuttings

Comments:  Cercis canadensis or Canadian Redbud or Eastern Redbud or Judas Tree is a small deciduous tree with a flat top crown and a rounded-vase growth habit.    It is a native of North America.  In late Winter or early Spring, Cercis canadensis produces very showy, pea-shaped, magenta blossoms on the stems followed later by seedpods.  Butterflies, especially Callophyrus henrici, honeybees and hummingbirds are magnetized by the nectar-rich blossoms.  Eastern Redbud is a harbinger of Spring.  Songbirds enjoy feasting on the seeds and help transport them.  Canadian Redbud has lovely heart-shaped green foliage.  It is easily propagated from seeds or softwood cuttings.  Eastern Redbud can tolerate sandy or alkaline soil but performs best in well-drained, rich, moist, well-composted highly acidic or neutral soil.  It tolerated drough conditions and is excellent for xeriscaping.  Cercis canadensis is low maintance.  It self sows readily and can be invasive.  Prune if too droopy below canopy.   Canadian Redbud makes a fine stand alone specimen in the landscape.  It can be trained to be single-trunked.  The ornate hard, dry, brown seedpods hanging on the stems and the excellent yellow foliage provide Fall interest.  Native Americans find the bark useful in boiled tea for the treatment of whooping cough and the as an astringent for treating dysentry, inner bark and roots treats vomitting and fevers and the edible flowers adds color to salads or fried for food.  
Interestingly, Redbud is the official tree of the state of Oklahoma.  

USDA Zones:  4-9