Native tree-redbud blooming now?

17 years ago

I am in upstate SC. We have native tress that are blooming right now that have a small rusty red flower. Is this the eastern Redbud?

The reason I ask is I thought the blooms on Redbuds were a pinky/ purple/red color. Until this year I nevered noticed the rusty red color on the native trees

Thanks in advance.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
17 years ago
It's the red maples. They are the first thing to come out in the spring in many areas. They're blooming here, too. Pretty, aren't they?
0
Dibbit
17 years ago
Redbuds are usually smaller trees than the red maple, and the pinky-purple-mauve-y flowers are all along the stems, branches and even, sometimes, the trunk of the tree. The other tree it's easy to confuse with redbud from a distance are some of the flowering prunuses - the color is almost right, although the flowering habit isn't. From a distance, that's not so clear, and I can begin to whine about how "MY redbud isn't flowering yet, so how come theirs is?", before I catch myself and think again... I now KNOW where the easy to confuse trees are, so it's less common for me to get caught...
0
Related Discussions
Native Trees vs. Non-Native Trees
Q
Comments (75)
Greenthumbz, those are gorgeous pics! I've heard that there are a couple of trees that are not native to North America but are used by significant numbers of native insects. 1) Malus/Crabapples - native, hybrid, or exotic, Douglas Tallamy's book stated that the leaf chemistry is so similar that North american insects will use all species. This certainly bears true in my experience. I've got lots of crabs, a few specimens and a crazy wild thicket full of them in back,and they are bird magnets, not just for the fruits in the fall but for the nectar and insects in spring and summer. 2) Picea abies/Norway spruce - don't have any personal experience, but was told this by an ornithology student at Cornell who was doing a study on the subject
...See More
Tree ID: pink flowers blooming now!
Q
Comments (9)
Oldroser, I am excited, I think it may be a shadblow, I've googled them and they look so much like my tree...except mine is pink. And a lot taller than they usually get apparantly (the wild ones I see tend to be under 20') although one site says they can reach 40' but that size is very rare. I also have never noticed fruits on it but that may be because the birds notice them first! I have a friend who is a botanist take look at the tree in bloom and she did not know what it was - I think I'll run the possibility of a genetic variation of the shadblow by her. Whatever it is, it sure is beautiful. Our wild apples are not blooming yet either but will be soon. I love spring!
...See More
What is this tree, blooming now?
Q
Comments (15)
Still working on this. New twist. It appears there are two different trees. Both have similar bark, and the habit is similar. Some of these trees are approaching 50 feet. They appear to be growing easily from seeds, as there are numerous saplings near the older trees (not suckers, but saplings). Trunk diameters range from 3/8 inch to about 16 inches. The black fruit trees have a shorter, more oval shaped compound serrated leaf (I mean to say, two different sized serrations). The yellow/red fruited tree has more lancet shaped leaves, also with compound serrations. Both trees show distinct darkened glands on the petiole (sorry, not very visible in pictures. Speaking of pictures, there are more pictures posted at the link I posted earlier in the thread, showing the things I'm now describing. The black fruit tastes slightly sweet, but bitter. I would not describe it as sour or acidic. The yellow and red fruit tastes almost exactly like a Rainier cherry, but with a slightly bitter after-taste. Both fruits are about 1/2 inch in diameter. I haven't seen a cherry plum in person, but have seen many cherries, and these look like cherries to me. They are not elongated or oblong or round, but, rather, slightly indented on the bottom, just like a cherry. So, the reason I'm posting again is that Prunus cerasifera is supposed to have petioles without glands and evenly toothed leaf margins. Help? Thanks Here is a link that might be useful: link to fruit pictures
...See More
Forest Pansy Redbud Tree or Eastern Redbud Tree
Q
Comments (3)
Hardiness zone-wise, the Eastern Redbud should do fine in Front Range area, but of course other things than zone come into play here in Colorado. Like tommysmom, I'm in the Denver metro area, so I am not sure this will help you... Two of our neighbors (across the street from our house) have redbuds in their yards; they are mature trees and thrive year after year with a wonderful display of flowers in the early spring. I, however, haven't had much luck with them in my yard. One that I purchased did OK for a few years but then split in half one winter and died. I have had several "volunteers" that showed up in my yard - seeds from my neighbors' trees obviously - but most of them have died, not making it through their first winter. I do have a couple of seedlings (about 3 or 4 ft high) that seem to be OK this spring - one even has about 3 flower clusters on it, lol - so perhaps my luck has changed, but I am not counting on it! It could be that the trees need some extra protection from the cold and wind during their first year or so here in Colorado, which I have not provided. Perhaps they need tree wrap, extra mulch, or.... The blooms of the Eastern Redbuds are beautiful and I really like the leaves as well, so I would love to have one that survives. karljr - if no one from Colorado Springs responds, you can always check with a reputable nursery in your area and see what they recommend. Holly
...See More
lsst
Original Author
17 years ago
The maples are very pretty.
I do not see very many native redbuds around here. Has a disease or virus killed off most?

It seems the only ones I see are bought from a nursery.
0
dottie_in_charlotte
17 years ago
The elms are blooming the rusty red here. If the bark is smooth, it's maple, if deeply rough it's elm.
0
Dibbit
17 years ago
lsst, there are a lot of redbuds growing along I-26 going up toward Asheville from the SC/NC state line, but they won't be in bloom for another few weeeks....
0
lsst
Original Author
17 years ago
I need to check the bark. I have one in my front yard and I think it has rough bark.
dibbit, I think I will plan to travel up that way to see the Redbuds in a few weeks.

Thank everyone.
0
dottie_in_charlotte
17 years ago
The redbud flower is definitely hot pink, almost magenta/fuschia colored.
0
aisgecko
17 years ago
I haven't seen any redbuds blooming yet. They shouldn't be this early. I haven't heard of anything killing them off, maybe they just haven't taken off there. I know there are tons of them growing wild in this area (Raleigh). The bloom overlaps with dogwoods and it is just wonderful to see them together. I look forward to it!!! -Ais.
0
dottie_in_charlotte
17 years ago
It's been quite warm here in Charlotte area the past week and the swamp maple blooms can be seen deep into the forest behind me. Intense red.
The pawpaws will be next with their brownish red flowers.
0
tamelask
17 years ago
i was at carla's the other day and her native redbud's buds are really swollen like they'll bloom within the next week or 2 at most. and someone down the road has a big asian one, ad it's blooming already. but ours isn't showing color yet that i can tell from the house, nor have i noticed them anywhere else yet. tam
0
dottie_in_charlotte
17 years ago
I took a nature walk out back in the forest. Saw one tree brightly red 'blooms'.
Not blooms but wings of seeds(maple) and the bark was deeply striated.
Now I have to google 'maple bark' and see if I can ID it.
It really looked like it was blooming. Very bright red.
0
tamelask
17 years ago
dottie- that's how the maple bloom looks like once it starts to form the seeds. the stamens/flowery stuff sort of falls off/shrivels. it's pretty small to begin with. it's very bright red indeed.
0

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Eastern Redbud

By Becky Harris

With romantic pink blooms and heart-shape leaves, this ornamental tree has been inspiring affection since the days of the founding fathers

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Amelanchier Signals Spring With Airy White Blooms

By Ellen Sousa/Turkey Hill Brook Farm

With roughly 20 species of serviceberry native to the U.S., bees can feed on the early-season blooms while birds enjoy the summer berries

Full Story

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Great Design Plant: Aromatic Aster Keeps on Blooming

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Tough as nails, drought loving, a deep fall bloomer ... this aster is a champ in sunny gardens

Full Story

TREES 6 Unsung Spring-Blooming Trees

By Andrew Keys

Billowy blooms and rare fragrances will make you wonder how these flowering trees could ever have been underused in landscapes

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Essential Native Shade Trees for the U.S. Southeast

By Falon Mihalic

These beauties provide cool shade in the summer and easily withstand the heat and humidity of the South

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Top California Native Plants, Trees and Grasses

By Debbie Ballentine

Enjoy a fuss-free, water-wise garden in the Golden State by growing plants naturally in tune with the climate and wildlife

Full Story

TREES Great Design Plant: Southern Magnolia, Iconic U.S. Native

By Falon Mihalic

Massive, fragrant blooms and deep green leaves set Magnolia grandiflora apart from other large shade trees

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES 15 Native Flowers That Feed Native Bees

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

These perennials offer superfood to hundreds of bees and are gorgeous in their own right

Full Story

By Annie Thornton

Get the guide you need for gardening in your U.S. region, with tasks, climate-appropriate plantings and more

Full Story

FLOWERS AND PLANTS Vitex Agnus-Castus Fills Gardens With Fragrant Blooms and Foliage

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Spikes of purple flowers adorn chaste tree’s aromatic foliage throughout the warm season in Southern gardens

Full Story

Native tree-redbud blooming now?

Comments (12)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

Dibbit

Related Discussions

lsst
Original Author

dottie_in_charlotte

Dibbit

lsst
Original Author

dottie_in_charlotte

aisgecko

dottie_in_charlotte

tamelask

dottie_in_charlotte

tamelask

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Native tree-redbud blooming now?

Comments (12)

Related Discussions

lsstOriginal Author

lsstOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

lsst
Original Author

lsst
Original Author