Redbuds over Pittsburgh: Massive planting of native trees in bloom

It might not be as celebrated as the cherry blossoms of Washington D.C. — at least not yet — but the massive planting of native redbud trees with dense pink-purple blossoms along Pittsburgh’s North Shore and other locations are in full bloom and are expected to last through next week.

Unlike the cherry blossoms, the native redbud blooms have a longer hang time at up to three weeks, depending on the weather. The Yoshino cherry, native to Japan, produces the Washington, D.C. profusion of bloom that lasts up to two weeks, according to the National Park Service.

Starting five years ago, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy planted more than 3,250 trees for its Pittsburgh Red Project. It’s intended to beautify the city landscape and bolster wildlife habit with the native Eastern redbud, cherry, birch, spruce, hophornbeam and hawthorn.

“Native trees and plants offer habitat and food for wildlife and are an essential foundation for ecological function,” said Jeff Bergman, director of community forestry and TreeVitalize Pittsburgh at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

Non-native invasive plants have taken over many parts of the city, reducing the number and variety of native tree and plant species, he said. That in turn, limits nutritional food for wildlife.

“So, in addition to the beautification aspect of the Pittsburgh Redbud Project, we are also improving species diversity and the ecological health of our riverfront areas in Pittsburgh,” Bergman said.

For example, native redbuds are beneficial to bees, according to Penn State Extension. The flower clusters along the stems are rich in nectar and pollen for bees when food is scarce is the spring.

Where they’re planted

Areas planted in Pittsburgh include along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail near Heinz Field, Carnegie Science Center, Heinz Field and PNC Park and along River Avenue on the North Shore Riverfront Trail.

Downtown Pittsburgh plantings include the entryway to Point State Park, Gateway Islands median and Grant Street.

Then there have been other plantings around the city at Frank Curto, Grandview and West End Overlook parks, Allegheny Landing, Station Square and along West Carson Street.

Pittsburgh native and landscape architect Frank Dawson came up with the idea to plant thousands of native redbuds in the city.

“In early spring, when the landscape is still varying hues of brown and grey, the last vestiges of winter, you sporadically come upon the delicate burst of pink of the redbud tree, dappling the tree line,” Dawson said, according to the conservancy.

Project Redbud also includes the planting of 1,400 shrubs and more than 8,200 perennials/grasses.