After a month of busted brackets, unexpected upsets, and heated arboreal debates, we finally have our winner for this year’s Phenology February.
But first, a quick recap of how we got here.
Each week, select species of trees from four divisions—Conifers & Evergreens, Fruit & Flowers, Fall Colors, and Shade Giants—faced off, with each matchup being put to a vote. After hundreds of votes from the public through our online form and Instagram stories, we were left with the final competition: the flowering Eastern Redbud against the vibrant Red Maple.
And the votes are in.
Put your hands (or leaves) together for our 2026 champion, the Eastern Redbud!
A Budding Champion in the Making
The Eastern Redbud, Cercis canadensis, is a local favorite known for its heart-shaped leaves and showstopping flowers. One of the first trees to blossom in the spring, the Eastern Redbud boasts lively pink and purple blooms along its branches—a welcome sight after a cold, gray winter.
Originating in our region, the Eastern Redbud is an excellent native alternative to the famed cherry blossoms (though we still love those, too). And like a cherry blossom tree, the Eastern Redbud is compact, reaching a height of 15-25 feet after approximately 15 years. This makes the tree a great fit in an urban environment, where it can easily be planted in a small yard, by a powerline, or under the shade of a larger canopy tree.
The story of the Eastern Redbud is, in fact, a comeback story. In 2024’s Phenology February competition, the tree made it all the way to the final round, where it eventually lost to the hometown hero Scarlet Oak. After an underwhelming performance in 2025, the Eastern Redbud returned ready to play, defeating the runner-up Red Maple and becoming the first tree from the Fruit & Flowers division to take the crown.
And the numbers don’t lie—Eastern Redbud secured nearly two-thirds of the vote, making it the undisputed champion. Still, we should give the Red Maple some flowers. One of the most popular planted trees, the tree is ubiquitous in DC, coveted for the stunning crimson foliage that makes it synonymous with fall. However, because it is so popular, DC has been planting fewer Red Maples than in years past to address biodiversity and climate resilience concerns, as too much of one species makes our canopy more susceptible to disease.
Time to Celebrate
While we won’t be dumping a bucket of Gatorade on an Eastern Redbud any time soon, we have plenty of other ways to celebrate our Phenology February Champion.
This upcoming spring, we’ll be hosting a number of tree giveaways featuring the Eastern Redbud! Our first giveaway will be on March 21 at the Electrify DC Healthy Homes Fair, while supplies last. Can’t make it? Be sure to keep an eye on our events page for more giveaway opportunities soon to be announced!
Sad that your favorite tree didn’t take the crown? Rep your tree team pride by planting any of our Phenology February competitors in your yard! Apply for a tree through our residential planting program or plant a tree yourself and get money back through our tree rebate program.
A huge thank you to everyone who participated in our tournament! We couldn’t have done it without your votes and enthusiasm to spark the arboreal competition through the cold winter months. As we say goodbye to February and welcome in March, let’s continue to celebrate and value the many trees that make up our urban canopy.
We’ll see you next year for Phenology February 2027!
