USDA Organic Eastern Redbud

The Eastern Redbud is the small, rounded tree you see lighting up forest edges each spring with bright splashes of lavender-pink. It is eye-catching at 55 mph, but if you grow this lovely native ornamental tree at home, you'll also be able to appreciate up-close how the flowers hug the zig-zag stems tightly -- and sometimes sprout directly from the trunk! You'll be able to reach up and grab a few of the colorful, edible blossoms from your Eastern Redbud tree for your salad, too. They look like miniature hummingbirds! Redbud trees make fine stand-alone specimens in the home landscape, and are even better in groupings or groves.

The Eastern Redbud became the state tree of Oklahoma amid much controversy. Just before signing it into law, the governor received a telegram from the president of the National Woman's club asking him to reconsider. In her letter, she informed him that the Eastern Redbud was the same tree mentioned in the bible that Judas Iscariot hanged himself on after betraying Jesus. Legend has it that this is why the branches are weak, so no one could ever hang themselves on it again. This led to national news reports, which stalled the process until an Israeli native living in Oklahoma stepped forward. He claimed that the Mediterranean species, known as the "Judas Tree", had no connection to the Eastern variety. The tree was accepted as the state's tree in 1937.

This delightful native tree is sure to bring a smile to your face! Bright purplish-pink pea-like flowers cover branches in April before leaves appear. The heart-shaped leaves on Eastern Redbuds are deep green through summer, turning yellow in fall. A perfect addition to a woodland setting, a nice component for your very own naturalizing project or just a beautiful tree for your beautiful garden - no matter where you use it, you're gonna love it!

Tread lightly, shrink your footprint, and let yourself grow with USDA Certified Organic Trees. Organic farming has sprung up drastically in importance and influence, spreading worldwide the philosophy of deeply rooting nature in harmony and enriching the soil we stand upon. Benefitting the gardener, enhancing biodiversity, preserving nature's wildlife, and a true direction to protecting our environment. Choosing organic trees on your property, whether they are fruit, nut, ornamental, or shade trees, begins with their soil and cultivates change taking root in your backyard. Take one BIG TREE step for your garden, and one giant leap towards a greener world.

What does it mean to be USDA Organically grown?

• USDA Organic crops are grown exclusively on land that has gone without having non-USDA Organic approved substances applied for three years.
• No pesticides for us, please! Organically grown crops are highly regulated on what can and cannot be used for pest control—worried about harsh chemicals that have been sprayed on your plant? There is only a small number of approved synthetic chemicals that are allowed to be used. Otherwise, farmers use strict biological, mechanical, and physical management practices.
• Not just any type of seeds are used to grow and harvest organic plants: farmers can only use organic seeds or organically raised seedlings in their organic fields.
• Only the best handling is allowed! Organic and non-organic crops are not allowed to be commingled or near each other. Cross-contamination can occur, botching the organic plant's purity due to non-organic substances that could have been sprayed on non-organic harvests; this would cause the organic plant to be considered compromised.
• Fields are carefully cultivated through crop rotation and proper tillage practices to ensure that the soil and the soil's nutrients are kept at a happy balance. Animal manure, not sludge, is allowed to help infuse the soil with nitrogen to support the growth of the organic crops.