114 Native Trees of Canada 



THE REDBUDS 



Of the seven species of redbud (Cercis) three occur on this continent. One of 

 these, Cercis canadensis, is found in southern Ontario but it is not common. None 

 of the species is of importance except for decorative planting. They can be readily- 

 recognized by their showy, magenta flowers and simple, heart-shaped leaves, 



CERCIS CANADENSIS, L. REDBUD 



Common names: Redbud, Judas tree. 

 French name: Gainier du Canada. 



The redbud is a rare tree in Canada. An occasional tree is found in south- 

 western Ontario in the counties bordering the shores of lake Ontario and lake Erie. 



It is small, ordinarily not much more than 20 to 25 ft. high, with a flat, irregu- 

 lar crown, occasionally upright. It is valuable only for ornamental purposes. 



The bark of the trunk is very dark and roughened by scaly ridges. On the 

 slender twigs it is reddish-brown and smooth. 



The winter buds are small, dark red, blunt, and slightly flattened or pressed 

 against the stem. The flower buds are larger and are sometimes located on the 

 underside of the twig at the base, where it joins a larger branch. This latter pecu- 

 liarity is one of the distinguishing features of the tree. 



The leaves are broadly heart-shaped and from 3 to 5 in. long. They are dark 

 green, smooth, and glossy, with toothless margins and slender stems. 



The flowers are shaped like the pea blossom and are rose-pink to purple in 

 colour. They come out in clusters all along the twigs and branchlets, even appear- 

 ing on the larger limbs and trunk of the tree at times. Opening up early in the 

 season, before the leaves are fully out, they colour the whole tree and make it a 

 very beautiful and conspicuous object. 



The fruit is a thin, flat-pointed pod, 2 to 3 in. long, containing small compressed 

 seeds. 



THE COFFEETREES 



There are only two known species of coffeetree (Cymnocladus) , one native 

 to this continent and the other to southern and western China. Both can be readily 

 recognized by their heavy branches, stout, blunt twigs with red pith, and large, 

 doubly-compound leaves, 



GYMNOCLADUS DIOICA (L.) Koch KENTUCKY COFFEETREE 



Common names: Kentucky coffeetree, coffeetree, coffee bean. 

 French name: Chicot du Canada. 



The coffeetree is a rare species and is found, in Canada, only in southwestern 

 Ontario from Niagara westward to lake St. Clair, but is nowhere common. Scat- 

 tered trees occur in rich woods but they have been mostly cut from the farm land 

 on which they once grew. The wood is not used conmiercially at present. 



