Redbud is a small, flowering tree native to northwest Indiana and is probably best known for its showy red to dark purple flowers, which appear very early each spring. Due to its small size and use in landscaping, it is often referred to as an ornamental tree. Ornamental trees are trees selected for aesthetic attributes such as showy flowers or unique shape, while amenity trees are those selected for shade or other utility function. There is much overlap in these definitions, since many large shade trees are quite beautiful, and many ornamental trees serve a function beyond beauty.
Redbud satisfies an important need in the City of LaPorte, as its small size allows it to be planted comfortably in areas which would be too tight for large shade trees such as maple. Redbud is an acceptable tree to plant under overhead utility lines as it rarely grows more than 20 feet tall. A large redbud would be 12 inches in diameter, making it perfect for narrow tree lawns or other small planting sites. It tolerates poor urban soils quite well and often thrives along streets.
Redbud is a member of the legume or pea family (Fabaceae), as evidenced by the seedpods produced in late summer. Redbud does not develop the nitrogen-fixing nodules along its roots as most legumes do. Nitrogen-fixing is the process in which nitrogen present in the atmosphere is converted to a form of nitrogen which is available for plants to use. Redbud does not seem disadvantaged, however, as it still grows 1 to 2 feet per year on good sites.
Though redbud produces copious amounts of seeds each summer, they are usually only eaten by bobwhite and a small handful of songbirds, including chickadees. These seeds become most important to songbirds in the winter months, when other food becomes scarce and redbud seeds still hang from the tree.
Redbud will prove to be invaluable to the City of LaPorte in the future. As trees topped for utility line clearance are removed, they will be replaced with small-stature trees such as the reliable redbud. You can expect to see more redbuds planted along the streets of LaPorte in the future.
Marilyn — November 13, 2009 @ 12:28 pm
love the idea of having Redbud trees all over in the city of LaPorte, during the spring the town will be beautiful!! What ornamentals would be good in this area for summer, fall and winter beauty and beneficial purposes?
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Keith O'Herrin — November 16, 2009 @ 9:30 am
Washington Hawthorne blooms in late spring, early summer. Sourwood, a southern tree, should grow here pretty well and flowers in late summer, and shows beautiful fall color.
Golden-rain tree (non-native) blooms yellow in mid summer, and papery seed pods hang on through the winter for added enjoyment.
To me, the bark of the River birch provides the most interest in a winter landscape, more than any other tree.
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