Question From: J. SHERBY - East Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
Q: RED BUD TREE- LEGGY !! When is the best time to cut this thing back? Every year my red bud has branches that look like a weeping willow and it gets badly leggy, Do i ' half-cut' it back after bloom in the spring ?? When is the best time so this thing isnt scraggly looking ?
A: The best time to prune a red bud tree is just after it blooms in spring but before it leafs out. If you Google how to prune a red bud you will find all kinds of tutorials on-line to help you get the look you want. Do not remove more than one third of the branches. It may take three years to get the look you want and not kill the tree. Be sure to keep it watered. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy
Comment: Gotta be something in the soil that is making this thing grow like an out of control weed . I can cut back all the way to the main trunk and it grows like a crazy out of control vine!!. should i " half it" throughout the summer to get more and more branching for that bushy look for the following year to get a lot of side growth?? All of my gardening went by the wayside this year, ((several family members in the hospital...)) . The ' slipper buds" ( as i call them)), come out in , like , March when it looks dead, right ?? i have a neighbor that just loves the heart shaped leaves that start out as teeny-tiny, then grow and grow to an umbrella-canopy... VERY successful tree out where i am here in Central New Jersey ... Thanks for the
Response: I would take samples of leaves and photos to a professional for a positive ID. I don't think you are dealing with a red bud. Best Nancy
