When do eastern redbudsturn?
When do eastern redbuds change color?
In every region we follow, eastern redbuds usually reach their most color in the same week, Oct 27–Nov 2, going by USA-NPN volunteer observations, 2020–2025.
One tree, several regions
- The Southern Appalachians5th of 10 to color · most Oct 27–Nov 2
- The Mid-Atlantic7th of 10 to color · most Oct 27–Nov 2
Sep 1 to Nov 30; darker = more eastern redbuds half colored.
Eastern redbuds this fall
- The Mid-Atlantic about typical: 2% vs 6% (57 obs.)
How to recognize it
Leaf drawing: ours, simplified.
Source: US Forest Service, Fire Effects Information System: eastern redbud ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where it grows
Sources: USDA Forest Service, Fire Effects Information System: Little's range maps ↗ (opens in a new tab), US Forest Service, Fire Effects Information System: eastern redbud ↗ (opens in a new tab)
The eastern redbud, in short
- Size
- A small tree or shrub, 25 to 50 feet tall at maturity, the lower figure being closer to typical, with a flat to rounded crown. Its seed pods are flat, 1.5 to 3.9 inches long.
- Lifespan
- Can bear pods by age 5 and keeps reproducing up to about 75 years.
- Where it grows best
- Almost any site that isn't very wet, very dry or strongly acidic; it favors alkaline soils so strongly that it can signal them. Grows best on rich, moist soil, usually in partial shade. Unlike most members of the pea family, it doesn't form root nodules and doesn't appear to fix nitrogen.
- Shade
- Moderately shade tolerant and does well in full sun, where it flowers and fruits best; it often forms a middle layer of the forest with flowering dogwood.
- Wildlife
- Quail, pheasants, goldfinches and other birds eat the seeds, opening pods right on the tree; deer eat the pods and browse young trees.
- People and uses
- A popular ornamental, also suited to low-water gardens, and sometimes a valuable nectar source for honey. The flowers can be pickled for salads or fried. It is Oklahoma's state tree.
Source: US Forest Service, Fire Effects Information System: eastern redbud ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where to see eastern redbuds in fall
- Blue Ridge Parkway · North CarolinaUsually Oct 1–31
- Great Smoky Mountains · TennesseeUsually Oct 1–Nov 10
- Iroquois Refuge · New YorkOct 1–10
- Allegheny National Forest · PennsylvaniaOct 8–14
- Shenandoah · VirginiaUsually Oct 8–21
- Cherokee National Forest · TennesseeUsually Oct 11–Nov 10
- Erie Refuge · PennsylvaniaUsually Oct 11–20
- George Washington and Jefferson · VirginiaUsually Oct 11–31
- Natchez Trace Parkway · TennesseeOct 11–31
- Nantahala National Forest · North CarolinaOct 15–21
- Pisgah National Forest · North CarolinaOct 15–21
- Lake Placid · New YorkOct 17–23
States: North Carolina · Tennessee · Virginia · Pennsylvania · Maryland · New York
Questions people ask
When do eastern redbuds turn?
It depends on the region. In a typical fall they are most colorful first in the Southern Appalachians (week of Oct 27) and last in the Mid-Atlantic (week of Oct 27), from USA-NPN volunteer observations.
Do eastern redbuds turn early or late compared with other trees?
In the Southern Appalachians, number 5 of 10 trees to start coloring; In the Mid-Atlantic, number 7 of 10 trees to start coloring.
Are eastern redbuds ahead or behind this fall?
In the Mid-Atlantic, for Sep 15–21: 2% of observations with half the leaves colored, against 6% in a typical year (about the same).