I’m seeking advice from several sources on how to rescue an eastern redbud that we love. Ee planted a Rising Sun Redbud five to six years ago and fell in love with the beauty of its leaves as it progressed through the summer. Two years ago, the trunk split 60/40. The 40% of the trunk survived for one more year after we tied it up, but it died last year after the spring bloom, and the dead stalk was removed. In late summer last year the 60% snapped about 6 inches above the original split. I raised it back up with support and it survived for the rest of the growing season, but in the fall I cut the back the broken branch at the break point. There remains one major branch below the original split that extends out at about 80º from the vertical. It’s not viable with the weight of the leaves and needs continuous support. I want to eventually remove or prune that branch back to a viable state, but in the meantime, want to rescue the tree and encourge a healthier growth habit. My tentative plan is, shortly after this spring’s bloom, to cut back the top of the tree to remove any exposed heartwood, to significantly prune back the 80º branch (so the support is at about 50% its length) and to prune any growing tips on that branch at about 6″, to encourage new growth from the main trunk. The hope is to then select and encourage growth from select new sprouts off the main trunk, and slowly reduce the number over the coming years. Do you believe this strategy might help us save our beloved redbud and/or do you have any recommedations?
Hello – The eastern redbud is a beautiful tree and increasingly popular in the Toronto area. Unfortunately, the wood of this tree can be brittle causing the splitting you have experienced during windy or snowy conditions. The Rising Sun Redbud sounds like a beautiful cultivar so I understand your interest in rescuing the tree. I would certainly do the same. Be aware that the process will take some years for the tree to achieve a healthy and attractive state.
I checked a number of sources on how to rescue trees that have been ‘topped’ by storm damage and the information is quite consistent. (The links to several of these are included below.) I think your strategy is mostly consistent with these recommendations. This year I would do only what is needed to ensure the health and structural integrity of your tree. Trimming the jagged top of the tree and reducing the 80º branch are necessary steps in this regard.
Your tree will put out many new shoots this spring as it strives to restore energy production. Leave these alone for the first year. If you think it necessary to remove some of the growth from the 80º branch to further reduce the weight, I would cut a select few shoots back at their base rather than the tips. Pruning the tips will encourage a lot of new growth and weight.
Going forward, the challenge will be to resist excessive pruning. As recommended in the Davey blog below, the first ‘restoration’ pruning can be done after bloom in the second year and then every 2-3 years.
I note that you are seeking advice from a variety of sources which is always a good practice. I hope that one of your sources is a professional arborist who will have experience in restoring damaged trees and will pay a site visit. If you need help locating an arborist in your area, check out the ‘Find a service provider’ feature on the Landscape Ontario web site.
Best of luck with your redbud.