Eastern Redbud - The Medicine Tree

[GunnyGene]

I've got one in the backyard about 20 years old. Wife loves it, but to me the thing is a pain in the neck. But before I cut it down I decided to research it. I did some serious pruning of it yesterday, and was surprised at how hard the wood is (about the same as walnut) and the very dark brown/reddish color of the heartwood. I cut some big diameter growth around the main trunk which I'll dry and cut into some possibly usable lumber for small projects.

Some pics of typical projects by other people:

http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/ ... redbud.htm

But the other thing I discovered is it's uses as a medicine, so I won't be cutting the whole thing down. Here's the link:

http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/he ... redbud.php

[Vaquero]

We have a few around here, I transplanted a couple into the yard some 15 or so years back.
They are definitely a hard wood. I didn't know about the medicinal uses.

RP

[brm4450]

Isn’t it the state tree of Oklahoma?

[GunnyGene]

Isn’t it the state tree of Oklahoma?

Had to google it, but yes it is. Since 1937. Btw, the flowers are eatable and often included in salads.

[Vaquero]

Dangit, now I done learned something else.
I just they were nice to look at, had no clue they were eatable.

RP

[GunnyGene]

Dangit, now I done learned something else.
I just they were nice to look at, had no clue they were eatable.

RP

Not done yet. The young pea pods can also be eaten. Stir fry or raw. This is not permission to raid your neighbors trees or public plantings for supper tho. But it's nice to know some things you can eat if it becomes necessary, or you just want to try it out.

https://www.foragingtexas.com/2008/08/redbud.html

Recipe with wild turkey.

https://www.realtree.com/timber-2-table ... -asparagus

Btw, this is not new knowledge. The Eastern Redbud is native to a large area of the Eastern and Southern US, and was harvested for food and medicine by many tribes for hundreds of years and by the first settlers from abroad. It's right up there with Pecan and Hickory as a useful native tree.

[Vaquero]

No worry, like I said I planted two in the yard, and there's one on each side of me.
Then the farm next door 300+ acres not all trees but... I do have permission to hunt, hike and shoot on.
So I should be good to go.

RP