How to Grow a Redbud Tree

Redbud trees are native to eastern United States and add a lot of beauty through their bright pink blossoms. Knowing how to grow a redbud tree can help you get a good start on growing these beautiful plants. You can plant them as shrub borders, in woodland areas, or as specimen trees. Although their beautiful pink blossoms will last for 2-3 weeks during the spring, their shape and leaf color will still add beauty throughout the year.

Height and Width: 20-30 feet height with a width of 15-35 feet
Growing/Hardiness Zone: 4-8
Disease Resistance: Redbuds are susceptible to canker and tree borers.
Soil preference: Prefer well-drained soil with a pH range of 5.5-8.
Sun preference: Can grow in with full – partial sun. However they have a more elongated shape in partial shade as they reach more for the sun.

Common Names of a Redbud Tree

Moreover, the redbud treegoes by many names, the latin name being Cercis canadensis. Other common names include American Judas Tree, American Redbud, Judas Tree, Mexican Redbud, Redbud, Texas Redbud, Eastern Redbud and North American Redbud. Cercis comes from the Greek word kerkis, which means weaver’s shuttle. In fact, redbuds received this name because their seed pod looks like a weaver’s shuttle.

How to Water a Redbud Tree

When you just plant the redbud, be sure that it has sufficient water. Therefore, if there isn’t rain, do soak the tree roots with water.
During the winter be careful not to overwater but also make sure the tree isn’t damaged by lack of water.
After the redbud tree is established, you only have to water when there is a severe drought. Although redbud trees are drought tolerant, they still appreciate water in the summer heat.

How to Prune a Redbud Tree

When to Prune

The best time to prune a redbud tree is immediately after flowering.

How to Prune

The redbud tree doesn’t need to be pruned for its shape since it will naturally grow into a beautiful shape. However if you see damaged or diseased wood, prune these anytime of the year by cutting the branch back to a healthy branch.
If you want to prune to a certain shape, you can prune the lower branches to expose more of the trunk, or cut back all stems.

Learning how to grow a redbud tree is an important step in growing these beautiful trees.

You can read more in our growing guide about not only how to take grow redbud trees, but also how to take plant your tree. If you would like to discover other flowering trees, explore our tree catalog or shop page.

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