Why Do Red Bud Trees Have Pea Pods?

Red Bud Pods

• Red bud trees produce simple, dry fruit within an ovary-derived pod. Pods are flat, 2 to 4 inches long and approximately ½ inch wide. Each pod will contain between four and 10 hard, brown seeds. The pod is an important part of the red bud fruit. The pod walls protect seeds while they mature. It also produces, metabolizes and delivers nutrients to the seeds.

Legume Family

• Red buds belong to the legume family. Legumes are second only to the grass family in terms of nutritional value for humans and livestock. The legume family includes important food crops such as peas, beans and soybeans. Members share certain characteristics including, most notably, production of seeds in pods. The edible seeds of legume plants are generally rich in protein and high in beneficial amino acids.

Propagation

• Seed dispersal takes place in the fall or winter. Wind will blow most the pods off the otherwise bare red bud branches, spreading seeds. Dispersal is aided by the thin, slightly winged margin of the pods. The sutures of some of the pods will open, releasing seeds. To induce propagation artificially, collect brown pods from trees in the fall or winter. Gently peel apart the pods around the seed. Discard misshapen seeds or seeds with small holes. The hard, impermeable seed coats require both scarification and cold stratification to initiate germination.

Other Uses

• Like other seed pods in the legume family, seed pods of the red bud offer beneficial nutrients, such as protein, iron and complex carbohydrates, when consumed while green and tender. To prepare for eating, sautée the pods like snow peas and serve with butter. Red bud trees are prevalent across much of the United States. It is believed that red bud seed pods were commonly consumed by early inhabitants of North America. Seed pods provided essential nutrients during a time of year when other vegetables were relatively scarce. Wild birds are also known to consume the seed pods.