Leaves: Simple, alternate, blades heart-shaped, up to 6 inches long and nearly as broad, smooth on upper surface, smooth with or with some hairs on the lower surface.
Buds: Small, rounded, chestnut-brown, smooth, or nearly so.
Bark: Reddish-brown, separating into long plates and thin scales.
Twigs: Slender, zigzag, smooth, angular, brow; leaf scares alternate, somewhat elevated, triangular, hairy across the top, with three bundle traces.
Flowers: Small cluster on previous year’s branches or on the trunks, rose-purple, pea-shaped, about ½ inches long.
Fruits: Legumes up to 4 inches long and ½ inch broad, flat, smooth, brown at maturity, with several seeds.
Wood: Hard, heavy, close-grained, dark reddish-brown.
Uses: Ornamental tree whose value lies in its appearance, especially when flowering.
Habitat: Rich woods.
Growth Form: Small tree, reaching heights up to 35 feet. Its trunk is crown usually broad and flattened and reaches a diameter of 1 foot. Redbuds occurs from Connecticut across to southern Wisconsin, south to Texas, and east to northern Florida and grow in rich woods.
Distinguishing Feature: The heart-shaped, toothless leaves easily identify these trees.