Eastern North America, Ontario to Florida
"Eastern redbud seeds or pods are eaten by quail, pheasants, other birds including goldfinch, and deer. Birds will open pods on the tree to get at the seeds. Deer and cattle browse young trees.
Eastern redbud occurs in Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) habitat which is critical to endangered golden-cheeked warblers. The relationship of eastern redbud to golden-cheeked warblers was not reported (the warblers are primarily insectivorous)." [1]
"Eastern redbud is a popular ornamental. It is listed among trees useful for xeriscaping (landscaping for minimal water use). It is sometimes a valuable source of nectar for honey production. The flowers may be pickled for use in salads or fried (a common practice in Mexico). An astringent fluid extract from redbud bark has been used in treating dysentery.
Eastern redbud is the state tree of Oklahoma." [1]
"The wood of eastern redbud is heavy, hard, and close-grained, but weak. It is of no commercial value since the trees are rarely large enough to provide merchantable timber.
Eastern redbud was planted on surface mined sites in Indiana between 1928 and 1975. It is apparently no longer used much for this purpose.
Eastern redbud was present as a volunteer at a density of 40 stems per acre on a 30-year-old plantation on a surface mined site in Missouri." [1]
[1] Sullivan, Janet. 1994. Cercis canadensis. In: Fire Effects Information System,. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/cercan/all.html.
