The Eastern redbud, Cercis canadensis, is native to the United States, and is found from New York to Florida, and west to Texas. Wherever it grows, people enjoy its beauty. George Washington reportedly wrote in his journal how he transplanted redbuds from nearby woods to his gardens at Mount Vernon in Virginia. It is interesting that there was an effort to designate the redbud the state flower of Oklahoma, until it was found that the mistletoe was already the state flower. The redbud was then designated in 1937 as the state tree, after controversy settled over how the tree is referred to as the Judas tree.
According to legend, Judas Iscariot hanged 
himself from a redbud tree after he betrayed Christ. This particular tree is same genus but separate species from the Eastern redbud, and is now often referred to as the Judas tree. The legend goes on to say the redbud blooms changed from white to red, either from blood or embarrassment, and strong limbs became gentle branches to prevent a repeat of the same tragedy. The leaves became heart-shaped and appear infull display by Good Friday to show God’s love. A more likely reason why the tree is named Judas tree is because the French name Arbre de Judee (or tree of Judea) became corrupted to Arbre de Judas (tree of Judas). Judea referred to the hilly regions of that country where the tree used to be common.
Regardless of the likely truth of the legend, Israel considers this tree important enough to give it protected status.
The Eastern redbud blooms tiny flowers profusely each March/April from bare twigs, branches, and even sometimes trunks. Blooms are pink to redish purple. From blooms come fruit, which are flattened bean-like seedpods which are 2 to 4 inches long, each pod holding 6 to 12 seeds. These pods dry and turn brown in summer, and may remain on the tree into winter. After the flowers begin to fade, redish and rounded heart-shaped leaves emerge that grow on long stems (petioles) attached alternately on zig-zag branches. These leaves 
are flat, have a smooth surface and edges, and are papery in texture. They are dark green in summer and become greenish yellow before dropping in the fall. The tree itself is relatively short, growing only 15 to 30 feet in height. It is typically found as an understory tree. The crown is almost as wide as it is tall, having spreading branches. There is often more than one trunk, which may be 6 to 10 inches wide.
The redbud tree has had more uses than ornamental. Indians used to eat the legumes (seeds) found in the green seed pods, preparing them like peas. They also ate the flowers, adding them to pancakes or using them as a garnish for salads. The flowers bloom at an important 
time when bees are rapidly expanding their colonies and need all of the food they can gather to feed the hive. Other sources of nectar for bees are scarce that early in the season. The redbud tree has a short life of maybe 25 to 30 years, and it procreates primarily from tough seeds that take years to break down and sprout. Though beautiful and valuable, it does not thrive as easily as more invasive and less useful species. This gives us even more reason to appreciate these beautiful trees.