How to grow Eastern Redbud tree?

We purchased the Eastern Redbud in May 2017 and every year it grows some branches/stems but all of the branches dried up during winter. The next year it grows back new branches and stems from the roots. The stems and branches are around the size of a #2 pencil or bigger by fall but all died during winter again. This cycle repeats every year. Is there anything I need to do different? This is what it looks like so far this year of my two Eastern redbud trees.

What hardiness zone are you gardening in?

I have heard that Redbuds grown in the 4-5 USDA hardiness zone can sometimes have issues and best to plant a local cultivar that already succeeds in the immediate climate.

I'm in Zone 4b: -25°F to -20°F. I'm not exactly sure what specific type of redbud but we have one redbud tree blooming every year at the state university. However, that tree has been there for years and it's already like 20 plus feet tall already.

Do you see other healthy redbud trees in the area?  When you get to the edge of hardiness, the effects of microclimates begin to appear.

I am leaning towards you are facing zone edge issues as an explanation but it is an educated guess. The winter might be killing everything above the ground but the roots persist. It can grow only so much before the next winter knocks it out.

Not all Redbuds have the same hardiness, but I don't have a great way of guiding you to a more hardy variety besides advising to look for local nurseries that might have stock.

or taking seed from the local larger tree that you mention?

Timothy Norton wrote:I am leaning towards you are facing zone edge issues as an explanation but it is an educated guess. The winter might be killing everything above the ground but the roots persist. It can grow only so much before the next winter knocks it out.

Yes, that seems to be the case every year.

It seems like the  Northern Herald® Redbud Tree is rated as zone 3. On another forum, someone mentioned that the Eastern Redbud with either the "Wisconsin strain" or "Columbus Strain" will grow in my area. Now I just have to find a local nursery that carries them.

Thank you for all the help.

Chalrie Lo wrote:I'm in Zone 4b: -25°F to -20°F. I'm not exactly sure what specific type of redbud but we have one redbud tree blooming every year at the state university. However, that tree has been there for years and it's already like 20 plus feet tall already.

Does the one at the university set pods? If so, might you have opportunity to obtain some of those pods, say in about October or November that you can take home and bury about an inch or so deep where you want a tree? There are several seeds in a pod but often times some of them have been killed by a little worm, and germination can be low, so I plant the whole pod and just thin the seedlings if necessary.

For me that has been a much more successful way of planting redbud trees, and they grow fast from seeds. You can save the seeds and plant in spring too; I just don't like messing with that unless I'm going to sell seedlings.

Interesting idea...I just happened to work at the State University where they have a very big Eastern Redbud and it blooms every spring. How would I recognize the pod?  What does it look like? Would it be safer/easier to plant the seed in a container and set in my basement over the winter?

Okay, does the pod look something like this?

Chalrie Lo wrote:Okay, does the pod look something like this?

That looks like a fresh one indeed. They dry into a reddish/purplish color.

that’s right. i’d wait for them to dry on the tree before collecting, and i’d probably stratify them outside over the winter in a pot. the seeds are can take more than tender young plants. they do need some cold stratification.

Thank you for the tip. I will definitely try that this coming fall. I just found out that for a 5 feet tall eastern redbud that have the Columbus or WI stain can cost upwards of $340 so if this work, I can probably grow a couple more in my yard.

try some cover over that tree this winter,make a little makeshift greenhouse for it,would be a good experiment

Here is a pic of eastern redbud pods that are dry. As you see, sometimes they can persist on the tree for a very long time. Mine have usually dropped over winter before flowering the next spring. If I remember right, it took four years for my first redbud seedling to start blooming.


Picture from here.

Thank you very much for the pic. Now, I know exactly what to look for this fall. But dang, 4 years is a long time.