How to Prune Cercis Redbud Trees
The redbud is a small flowering tree that grows best in moist soil in the southern part of the United States. There are three main types of American redbuds (the Eastern, Oklahoma and Western redbud) but all can be pruned the same way. Because they flower in early spring, they should be pruned immediately after they flower. Early training is for strength and form. Gradual pruning should be done each year, starting about a year after planting, until the tree is about 10 years old. A properly trained mature redbud will need almost no pruning unless damaged by disease, wind or ice. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Pruning shears
- Loppers
- Pruning saw
- Gloves
- Stepladder
- Sanitizing gel or chlorine bleach
Instructions
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Training a Young Redbud
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1
Remove dead, dying and damaged branches. This can be done at any time of year. To identify damaged branches, examine the tree for cracked bark, cankers or sunken black spots on the bark, or wrinkled black bark. Remove these branches a few inches below the damaged area, then sanitize pruning equipment either by dipping in a 10% chlorine bleach solution or wiping with sanitizer gel.
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2
Encourage only one central trunk by removing or shortening any central leaders other than the strongest one. Redbuds can also be grown with more than one leader stemming from close to the ground provided there is a wide angle between leaders. If the angle is vary narrow, remove one of the branches. A leader is a main branch growing straight or almost straight up.
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3
Remove one branch wherever two branches are touching or rubbing. Leave the branch that will give the tree the most pleasing form. These cuts should be made just above a bud or another branch.
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4
Choose where you want the lowest branch of the tree to be. Cut all branches off the lower 1/3 of the tree, provided they are below that point. Continue this practice each year until the lowest branch is at the desired point.
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5
Look for ways to improve the form of the tree. Remove branches that grow inward and thin branches where necessary to make the plant look better. The natural shape of the redbud tree is rather open and picturesque, so that will be the easiest form to produce.
Pruning a Mature Redbud
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6
Examine trunks and branches broken by wind or ice to determine an appropriate point for removing them. Cut just above another branch that will be able to fill in the empty portion of the tree. If the trunk was broken below the lowest branch, it may be best to remove the tree.
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7
Identify dead, diseased or damaged branches as described above. Remove branches too large for pruning shears or loppers using a three cut method. The first cut should be made on the underside of the branch about 8 inches from the source of the branch. The second should be made from the top, just beyond the first cut. The third cut removes the stub just outside the branch bark collar, which is the swelling at the base of the branch.
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8
Remove suckers and watersprouts. Suckers are fast growing upright branches growing from the roots and watersprouts are fast growing upringht branches growing from the trunk or other branches. Remove them as close to the source as possible.
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9
Cut back the tips of branches that are growing too close to buildings, pathways or streets, or that have grown beyond the desired size and shape of the tree. Make these cuts just above a bud or another branch.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Pruning cuts should be made just outside the swollen area at the base of a branch.
Make sure all tools are sharp before you begin pruning.
Do not remove more than 25% of the leaf area in any one year. When you reach 25% of the leaf area, stop pruning and wait until the next year for further training.
Always use caution when using pruning equipment.
