May 23, 2025

Seed pods of Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis). These look like they’re beans and sure enough, Redbud trees are in the legume family (Fabaceae). Members of the legume family are well known for their ability to add nitrogen to the soil.

A little bit of what happens in the adding of nitrogen to the soil. There is a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria that lives in nodules on the plants’ roots. The bacteria changes nitrogen from the atmosphere into a form that the plants can use. This process adds nitrogen to the soil.

However, Redbud is part of a very small portion of the legume family that does not add nitrogen to the soil.

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