How to Prune a Lavender Twist Redbud Tree

Prune lavender twist redbud carefully, to maintain its graceful weeping form.

Lavender twist redbud is a small tree, growing up to 15 feet tall and wide. Small, pink-colored lavender buds emerge in early spring and soon erupt into a fountain of blossoms. After full bloom, green leaves take over the weeping branches of the tree. The foliage drops early, before any killing frosts. This makes the lavender twist redbud an ideal plant for most northern climates. The blossoms form on first-year growth trees and grow in abundance in subsequent years. Annual pruning maintains the tree in a strong framework of branches.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Prune the lavender twist redbud while the tree is in full dormancy, which typically ranges from November to February.

2. Remove all dead and broken branches. Cut the branches back to the next living intersection of limbs.

3. Trim all branches that are dragging or touching the ground. Make the cuts to the next intersection of limbs.

4. Cut all vertical branches near the top of the tree's crown. This will keep the drooping shape to the branches.

5. Prune all interior and exterior branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other. Take out the smaller crossing branches first, then work into any larger limbs. Space all limbs approximately 2 inches apart.

Tips & Warnings

• Attempt to remove no more than 30 percent of the limbs from any annual pruning. Removing too much will reduce the overall lavender pink blossoms.

• The lavender twist redbud is a grafted tree. In many cases, the graft is near the top of the main trunk. Exercise caution not to remove the graft from the main trunk, as the lavender grafting will not grow back once it is removed.

References

• University of Georgia: 2009 Georgia Gold Medal Winners
• Kansas State University: Pruning Weeping Trees and Shrubs
• Spring Hill Nurseries: Lavender Twist Weeping Redbud