Redbud

View of a redbud tree in flower during early spring.

Description

Redbud (Cercis canadensis/Fabaceae). The genus Cercis is composed of about 6 species native to the northern temperate regions. Redbud is a shrub or small tree that reaches heights of 30 feet with diameters of 4 to 8 inches. It flowers early (March – April) and grows best in rich moist soils, usually in partial shade. This is not a commercial lumber species and thus, no technical information is available on the properties of the wood. The wood is hard, close grained and the heartwood is reddish brown.

Tech Sheet

https://research.fs.usda.gov/silvics/eastern-redbud

Characteristics

Characteristics found in the Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

  • Ring porous
  • Vessels in tangential bands
  • Simple perforations
  • I/V pits variable (4-50)
  • Rays 5-14 seriate & homocellular
  • Rays of 2 types
  • Crystals in axial parenchyma
Close view of redbud leaves and seeds on a branch.

 

 

 

 

 

Slides (Click on each image to view a larger image)

WOOD SLIDES

Microscope slide of transverse section of red blood what. Arrows point to Lakewood growth, earlywood growth, and the growth ring boundary.
Microscope slide of transverse section of red bud wood at higher magnification. Arrows point to large earlywood vessels, smaller late wood vessels, and the growth ring boundary.
Microscope slide of radial section of redbud wood. Arrows point to raise and vessels.
Microscope slide of radial section of redbud wood at higher magnification. Arrows point to vessels and rays.
Microscope slide of radial section of redbud wood at higher magnification. Arrows identify rays, crystals, and vessels.
Microscope slide of polarized light radial section of red bud wood.
Microscope slide of radial section of redbud wood at higher magnification. Arrows point to the ray and crystals.
Microscope slide of polarized light radial section of redbud wood showing crystal formation.
Microscope slide of tangential section of redbud wood. Arrows point to dispersed vessels and rays.
Microscope slide of tangential section of redbud wood at higher magnification. Arrows point to raise, inner vessel pits, fibers, and spirals.
Microscope slide of radial section of redbud wood. Arrows point to ray vessel pits and spirals.
Microscope slide of tangential section of redbud wood at higher magnification. Arrows point to inner vessel pits, rays, and spirals.

CHARCOAL SLIDES

Microscope slide of radial section of redbud charcoal. Arrows point to vessels and rays.
Microscope slide of tangential section of redbud charcoal at high magnification. Arrows point to inter-vessel pitting.
Microscope slide of tangential section of redbud wood at high magnification. Arrows point to multiple rays and vessels.
Microscope slide of tangential section of redbud wood at high magnification. Arrows point to spirals and inter-vessel pitting.
Microscope slide of transverse section of redbud charcoal with arrows pointing to growth ring boundaries.
Microscope slide of redbud transverse section with arrows pointing to growth ring boundaries, vessels, and rays.
Microscope slide of transverse section of redbud charcoal at high magnification. Arrows point to earlywood vessels, latewood vessels, and the growth ring boundary.