Does redbud fix nitrogen?

Since redbud is in the legume family, I wonder does it have the ability to increase nitrogen in the soil? If so, would it be beneficial to plant redbud beneath large trees such as oaks and hickories for added nitrogen, or would it even make a difference?

Yes, it does. The only legume genus I'm familiar with that doesn't is Styphnolobium (e.g. S. japonicum; previously Sophora japonica, but split off from Sophora precisely because of its lacking nitrogen fixation)

Not sure about other areas but here in Southeast Texas you find most redbuds
growing as an understory in their native habitat. You can see them in the wild
(wooded areas) along with dogwoods. Not sure if this helps.

Angela

HI, just a note too, they are fast growers and beautiful spring blooms before the leaves, and the leaves are pretty also, heart shaped and turn colors in the fall---what more could you ask for!!!!!
Ruby

I put in two redbuds 2 years ago, and you aren't kidding they grow fast! I am happy to hear that they fix nitrogen. I have them under my fir tree, as understory trees.

Edited to say i wish I had bought Forest Pansy, the purple leaved version. It is so beautiful.

This message was edited Jan 30, 2006 11:16 AM

I read somewhere years ago that Cercis does not fix nitrogen. Perhaps it's by a different process, or using different bacteria or actinomycetes or something. Anyway, I can't find the reference now.

Guy S.

I've read that Kentucky coffee tree doesn't fix nitrogen either.

Scott

Looked up on this - different references give conflicting info, some sources say it does, others say it doesn't . . .

Some that say it does:
http://hort.ufl.edu/trees/CERCANC.pdf (pdf file)
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Cercis+occidentalis
http://www.floridata.com/ref/c/cercis_c.cfm
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/trees-new/cercis_canadensis.html

Some that says it doesn't:
http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/cercan/botanical_and_ecological_characteristics.html
http://cinram.umn.edu/afta2005/pdf/Dawson.PDF (pdf file)
http://www.u46.k12.il.us/shs/aldeellen/6342.htm
http://www.hattonbrown.com/vserver/hb/display.cfm?MagazineKey=3&IssueKey=348&SectionKey=1655&ArticleKey=1045

There seem to be some well-respected authorities on both sides of the fence . . . who does one believe??

Resin


This message was edited Jan 30, 2006 11:05 PM

Maybe the answer is not to ask silly quastrums









(sorry!)

Ohhh, boooo, that's SOOO bad!!!

I bet there will be some who don't get it, especially on this side of the Pond. You might have to explain yourself!

Guy S.

Okay, explain yourself, there I asked it!!!
My sister has the forest pansy redbud, it is a lovely tree, but I cannot find it here in Houston, anyone know where to find one that is not too expensive? Thanks in advance!!!
Ruby

Resin is in bed by now over there in England -- and if not, someone tell his mother!

He's referring to the European redbud, Cercis siliquastrum.
(silly quastrums)
Now you can boo, too!

Guy S.

Well this is paralleling what I read a while ago. North eastern leguminous trees don't always fix nitrogen. What I had read was that Gymnocladus, Cercis, and Cladrastis didn't fix nitrogen. But, you can plant some nice "native" Dalea candida or D. pupurea around the base of your Cercis and that should do the trick.

I was mainly wondering if the nitrogen possibly created by the redbud would benefit any of the larger trees growing over them. I know in this area the native wax myrtle is a nitrogen fixing shrub. It grows in the understory of pines and gives them a natural boost. I didn't start researching redbud until after I posted this thread. I have also found plenty of sources that say it doesn't fix nitrogen.

Muahuahua . . . knew you'd get it Guy . . . :-))