Eastern Redbud – lead branch broken

(Question)

I planted an eastern redbud last year. The tree was doing well until one morning when it looked like an animal (raccoon maybe) tried sitting in it and broke off the lead branch. I cut the branch so it would be a cleaner cut. Will my tree still grow tall? Is there anything I need to do to help it grow up since the main tree branch broke at the top?

(Answer)

Thanks for contacting the Toronto Master Gardeners with your Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) question. Sorry to hear your tree was damaged but you will still have a tree for years to come.

When a branch is pruned or broken if the tree is healthy, it will divide and you will get two leads. Few trees go through their entire growth without damage of some kind. There are defined shapes to trees but we walk around and see that something changed that growth pattern. From the picture it is difficult for me to see if the cut is a clean one? Properly pruning it now with a clean cut will help the health of a young tree.

I have a very large Eastern Redbud in my front yard which I adore. Frequently I cut smaller branches to help shape it. I also notice that the pods dry up and start seedlings thru out my yard. Be prepared to pull them out but those are some markers of a healthy tree.