The Redbud tree is the State tree for Oklahoma; and mine is an over achiever!

Spring is arrived in Oklahoma.

My Red Bud tree has joined the other trees and flowers and blooming. It has put on a massive amount of flowers; that's one of the things I like about the Red Bud tree. It's starts in the spring by putting out all the flowers at can manage put on the tree!It is pest resistant, and does well in high winds and bad weather.

These are a slow growing hardwood tree that has a long life and is very ornamental! It is prized for the greenery and shade it offers. It is held in such high regard here locally, that they adopted it as the State tree here in Oklahoma! It is a local tree and very widespread here. It kind of make spring just a little better every year, because it is an early bloomer. it is a hardy tree, and tehse buds are often exposed to freezing temperatures, but it comes through every year, with an explosion of color!

Here is a closeup of the flowers:

These flowers are edible and really decorate up a salad. They are best, IMHO, in a Cobb salad, but are tasty and attractive in any salad.

The buds are collected, pickled, and used like capers. So it is nice to look at, and a tasty snack.

When the leaves come on, it is pretty good shade too....