Redbud trees are very common to homeowners because they provide a beautiful look to your yard during spring with its red and white flowers.
You should know how to prune a redbud tree because pruning is crucial for its proper development.
Redbud trees are usually less than 30 feet in height and 25 feet in width. By pruning the main branches of the trunk will get stronger.
Otherwise, the V-shaped branch crotches might be unable to hold the weight of thick branches during heavy wind.
If you prune your redbud tree correctly, it will give the tree a U-shaped junction so that it can hold the weight of the branches, flowers, and leaves.
Pruning a redbud tree is essential to so that it looks beautiful as well as gets stronger. Here is a step by step guide which will help you to prune your redbud tree correctly.
How to Prune a Redbud Tree – Step by Step GuideÂ
Step 1: Collect the appropriate tools to prune the redbud tree
You will need a few tools to cut the tree. You will need shears and saw paper towels, rubbing alcohol, bleach, and water.
After making each cut, you should clean the saw with rubbing alcohol. Then, with a clean paper towel, wipe the saw.
Sanitizing the tools is crucial; otherwise, you will be spreading diseases to other branches or trees.
As an alternative to alcohol, you can use a mixture of bleach and water. Keep in mind that too much bleach can also harm the tree.
Step 2: Cut off the branches based on the natural shape of the tree
Before cutting off the tree branches, you need to assess the natural shape of the tree.
See how the branches have naturally grown over time and begin the pruning. Don’t cut off more than 20 percent of the tree branches at once.
If you need to cut several tree branches, we will suggest you do it over a few months.
Be cautious while you remove any major branch because it will cause more branches to fall off.
If you cut too many branches at once, the tree might go on shock, and it might cause irregular growth.
Step 3: Choose the right season to prune
During Spring, a redbud tree blooms beautifully with its red and white flower. After the end of the blooming season, you can choose to prune the tree.
Early Summer is the best time to prune redbud trees.
Step 4: Start with a shallow cut under a branch
After examining the tree, you need to choose which branch you want to cut off. Keeping a gap of 4 to 5 inches, make a shallow cut with a hand saw.
This tip is useful for thick branches. For thin branches, you can simply cut off the branch at one attempt.
Then, make another cut 2 inches from the previous cut. At last, you can cut the whole branch from the collar.
After cutting, don’t seal the wound. Because, if the tree has any disease, the open part will let it heal faster.
Step 5: Cut off branches with narrow crotches
You should remove the branches with narrow crotches. It will help other branches to make a stronger connection with the trunk.
Make sure that you are creating a U-shaped junction to the tree. The U-shaped junction will help the branches to hold the weight of the flowers and leaves.
They will not fall off the trees even if there is heavy wind.
Also, make sure you are pruning all the dead branches. You will need to prune these dead branches once a while, even if they are not diseased.
If the branches of your redbud tree are continuously breaking off, you need to be very careful because excess branch breakage can lead to redbud tree death.
Step 6: Get rid of brown branches and tiny twigs during Winter
During winter, you will see a few of the branches are turning brown. You must cut off these brunches to keep your redbud tree healthy.
Also, prune any diseased wood. If the branches are crossing over each other, get rid off them.
If you follow these above steps, you will be able to have a beautiful and healthy redbud tree during the whole year whether its Summer or Winter.
Keep a few things in mind, and your redbud tree will always be free of diseases and breakage.
Below, we have provided the answers of a few queries related to pruning a redbud tree.
When to prune a redbud tree?
The best time to prune redbud trees is early Spring and at the end of the blooming season.
You should prune the redbud tree before it is ready to set bud for the next year.
Sometimes, the right time to pruning depends on the type of trimming you will be doing.
For example, if you are planning to cut the redbud tree to give it a beautiful shape, do it after it has finished the blooming.
Prune the tree before April. On the other hand, if you need to get rid of dead or diseased branches, Winter is the best time.
Can you trim side branches from a redbud tree?
Yes, you can trip side branches from a redbud tree, but you need to be careful.
You might need to trim the side branches from the redbud tree to give it an aesthetic look. You will need to be patient as you cannot trim several branches at once.
Only trim 1 or 2 branches every six months and continue this process until you get your desired shape.
It is an excellent idea to trim the redbud tree from an early stage. It will give the tree a beautiful shape.
How to take care of a redbud tree?
You will need to water the tree regularly. Prune the crowded branches and dead limbs regularly.
To keep the tree moisturized, place around 2 to 3 inches of mulch around the tree. Always keep the soil moist and the pH level of the soil between 5.5 to 8.
As redbud trees add beauty to your yard, you need to give them proper care and maintenance.
As the trees are susceptible, never compromise of taking adequate care and correctly pruning the trees.
