Post 17
Eastern Redbud
Cercis canadensis

Location

N39º28.923'
W088º24.801'

Date Planted

Fall 2005

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Tree located at
Hawthorne Elementary School
2405 Champaign Avenue
Mattoon, Illinois

Tree Description

Small, with the trunk usually separating into several thick branches a short distance above the ground.

Habitat

Prefers stream borders and rich bottomlands; often seen as undergrowth in hardwood forest. 

Range

Eastern U.S. from Massachusetts down to central Florida, over to Texas and down to northeastern Mexico, up the Great Lakes.

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Leaf Description

Deciduous;  alternate;  simple;  heart-shaped, with pointed tips and smooth margins;  upper side is smooth and lower side is smooth or with some hairs;  turn yellow in autumn.

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Bark Description

Reddish brown; scaly, separates into long plates and thin scales becoming deeply fissured in old age.

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Fruit Description

A legume, it is dark pinkish purple in color;  smooth, flattened pods 2 to 3 inches long and 0.5 inch wide;  enclosing several seeds about 0.3 inch long.

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