redbud tree - Ask Extension
I lost two redbud trees last year. I've planted one new baby this year, what suggestions would you have to help these survive--things I need to do, e...
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redbud tree #143224
Asked July 25, 2013, 5:26 PM EDT
I lost two redbud trees last year. I've planted one new baby this year, what suggestions would you have to help these survive--things I need to do, etc. I've watered them frequently and just want them to survive. Anything else you would suggest?
Kent County Delaware
Expert Response
Eastern redbud is a native,
deciduous tree which grows 15 to 30 feet tall and spreads 15 to 25 feet. It is an understory species in open woods and
is found on moist, loam or sandy soils in valleys or bottomlands.
The best environment for redbud is full sun to light shade, preferably shade in the hot afternoon, in moist, well-drained soil, although it will grow in drier conditions. It will not grow well in permanently wet or poorly drained soil. The tree does not transplant easily so it should be planted when young. Eastern redbud grows on a wide range of pH; however, it grows best on soils more neutral up to a pH of 7.5.
Diseases can include Verticillium wilt, leaf spots, and the worst disease, canker. Serious damage by any of these pests will usually occur only in stressed trees.
Not knowing what the older trees died from, don’t plant the new trees in the exact same site in case some disease is still present in the soil. Have a soil test done if one hasn’t been taken in three years. The soil in Delaware tends to be very acidic and may need amendment. Keep your tree vigorous with regular watering and feeding.
See this website for information on soil testing: http://ag.udel.edu/dstp/index.html
See this website for more information on planting trees: http://extension.udel.edu/factsheet/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/TreesForDE.pdf
The best environment for redbud is full sun to light shade, preferably shade in the hot afternoon, in moist, well-drained soil, although it will grow in drier conditions. It will not grow well in permanently wet or poorly drained soil. The tree does not transplant easily so it should be planted when young. Eastern redbud grows on a wide range of pH; however, it grows best on soils more neutral up to a pH of 7.5.
Diseases can include Verticillium wilt, leaf spots, and the worst disease, canker. Serious damage by any of these pests will usually occur only in stressed trees.
Not knowing what the older trees died from, don’t plant the new trees in the exact same site in case some disease is still present in the soil. Have a soil test done if one hasn’t been taken in three years. The soil in Delaware tends to be very acidic and may need amendment. Keep your tree vigorous with regular watering and feeding.
See this website for information on soil testing: http://ag.udel.edu/dstp/index.html
See this website for more information on planting trees: http://extension.udel.edu/factsheet/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/TreesForDE.pdf
