Cercis siliquastrum

Planted: 1995

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This tree can be found to the east of the Philadelphus Walk.

Distribution:	Dry rocky places west Asia and south east Europe
Planting Date:	15 December 1995 from Hillier Nurseries, Romsey, Hampshire
Growth Habit:	Broadly spreading, rounded or irregular, more than one stem.
Bark:	Grey-brown, cracking into small rectangular and square plates with stretch marks and spreading wrinkles.
Leaf:	Deciduous, rounded to 10 cm long by 12 cm across. Deeply heart-shaped at base, sometimes notched at tip. Blue-green, smooth, and un-toothed.
Flowers:	2 cm, pea-like, purple-pink, in clusters along old shoots, main branches and trunk in late spring and early summer, before and with appearance of leaves.
Fruit:	A siliqua, or flattened pod to 10 cm, in green clusters ripening to brown and often persisting until after the leaves fall.
Potential tree size	To 10 m
Uses:	An ornamental garden tree. Traditional Palestinian medicinal plant with antimicrobial and antioxidant characteristics. Flowers and leaves said to inhibit the DNA cell cycle of breast cancer. Petals can be used to sweeten salads. Hard durable wood.
Introduction Date:	16th century
Anecdotes and Comments	Alternative names: Redbud or Love Tree