Eastern Redbud
Arguably the most striking spring tree, the eastern redbud blooms along its trunk and branches, outlining it in electric, glowing pink. The form of budding is called culiflory. Central Park has been home to eastern redbuds from the very beginning, and they can be seen in colorful profusion on the east side near 86th Street. Occasionally, they provide yellow foliage in fall.
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Leaves
3-5 inches long, alternate arrangement, simple leaves, heart-shaped, bright yellow some years -
Fruit
Flattened legume pods -
Flower
Very showy, small, purplish-pink, pea-like, bloom late March to early April -
Bark
Smooth, reddish-brown to dark brown on stems; older branches have scaly, dark brown bark that sheds in layers to reveal inner bark
