
How fast does a redbud tree grow?
Redbuds grow at a moderate rate, about 7 to 10 feet in five to six years. They tend to be short-lived, often declining from disease after about 20 years. Secondly, what is the best time to plant a redbud tree?
How tall does a western redbud tree grow?
Western redbud grows 12 to 20 feet tall, although it can be kept more compact with annual pruning. One tree in Santa Rosa stands 45 feet tall with a trunk circumference of 71 inches, according to Cal Poly. Click to see full answer. Also, how fast does western redbud grow? Tree Characteristics Width: 10 - 20 feet.
How to grow and propagate Redbud trees?
Redbud Tree Propagation Instructions
- Propagate the Redbud from Cuttings. Check out baby redbud trees on Amazon.
- Step 1 - Select and Make a Redbud Tree Cutting. In early June, after flowering and leaf production, select a healthy redbud tree with lateral branches at least four inches ...
- Step 2 - Prepare the Cutting for Propagation. ...
- Step 1 - Harvest Seeds. ...
How to grow a redbud tree?
Part 2 Part 2 of 2: Caring for the Seedlings
- Keep your saplings in a sunny spot. Place your pot or nursery container in a sunny window where it will get plenty of light.
- Water the seedlings once a week. Keep the soil moist, but not soaking wet. ...
- Transfer the tree to the ground when it’s 12–18 inches (30–46 cm) tall. ...
- Move the redbud outside in early fall. ...
- Pick a sunny, well-drained spot. ...

How long does it take a redbud tree to grow to full size?
Redbud trees are typically planted in spring. They have a moderate growth rate; in favorable conditions, expect yours to grow about 7 to 10 feet in the first five or six years....Eastern Redbud Plant Profile.Botanical NameCercis canadensisPlant TypeDeciduous treeMature Size20 to 30 feet tall, 30 to 35 feet wide8 more rows•Apr 15, 2021
How tall and wide do redbud trees get?
Find a spot for your redbud tree that gets six or more hours per day of full sun exposure. Most varieties will grow about 20 feet tall by 25 feet wide, so make sure your tree will have plenty of room to spread its branches out.
Where is the best place to plant a redbud tree?
They should be planted in moist, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Redbuds are very pH adaptable and will grow equally well in alkaline or acidic soil. It's best to plant redbuds in an area with good air circulation to reduce the chance of fungal diseases.
Is a redbud tree a good tree?
In fact, the redbud is so indispensable to these valuable animals some experts rate it as one of our top 10 most important native flowering trees. The high rating stems from the species' ability to provide these insects with an abundant supply of nectar and pollen when both are often hard to find elsewhere.
What is the life expectancy of a redbud tree?
50 to 70 yearsThe bark is dark colored, smooth and later becomes scaly with ridges. Life span: When healthy, the redbud tree should live from 50 to 70 years. However, with certain pathogens, particularly verticilliim wilt, a wilt disease caused by fungi, and trunk cancer can significantly decrease its lifespan.
How many years does it take for a redbud tree to bloom?
ANSWER: Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud) commonly referred to as Redbud, is a fast growing, short-lived (30 to 40 years) small sized tree that can start to produce flowers as early as its 3rd year of growth.
What is the best time to plant a redbud tree?
Generally, the best time to plant is in the early fall. The air and soil are warm enough that the plant can get established (generate some root growth) and then fall into winter dormancy. Then it is ready for the stresses of the heat and drought of summer in the following season.
How far away from the house should you plant a redbud tree?
Small trees such as dogwood, redbud, hawthorn or crab may be planted 15 to 20 feet apart and no closer than 8 feet from the house when used as an accent or corner planting.
Are redbud trees messy?
The flowers of the redbud trees are fragrant and even edible! They do drop seed pods, but they aren't overly messy. Pruning can be done after flowering. The Oklahoma Redbud is a deciduous tree that is bird friendly, compact and easy to care for.
Do redbuds have invasive roots?
The roots of the Eastern Redbud can be contained in small spaces, and are not large and invasive. So, the Redbud is a good choice for a flowering tree in parking lots, along streets, and near sidewalks.
What is the prettiest redbud tree?
Here are some of the best varieties of redbud trees to plant in your yard: Ruby Falls redbud is a small weeping tree with reddish-purple flowers. This redbud has leaves that are a deep red or burgundy color that turns green in summer. Forest Pansy redbud is a popular multi-stemmed tree with small pink flowers.
Can you keep a redbud tree small?
Redbuds often have more than one trunk and will grow in a shrub-like manner that could end up being nearly as wide as it is tall. They can be pruned and trained to have one straight trunk and be grown like a small tree.
How much space do redbud trees need?
Choose a location with full sun or partial shade. The ideal exposure for your redbud is 4 to 8 hours of sunlight every day, with some protection from the bright afternoon sun. Keep a minimum of 6 to 8 feet distance between any structures and the planting site, and a minimum of 3 feet from fences.
How much space do you need between redbud trees?
Small trees such as dogwood, redbud, hawthorn or crab may be planted 15 to 20 feet apart and no closer than 8 feet from the house when used as an accent or corner planting.
Is redbud a messy tree?
The flowers of the redbud trees are fragrant and even edible! They do drop seed pods, but they aren't overly messy. Pruning can be done after flowering. The Oklahoma Redbud is a deciduous tree that is bird friendly, compact and easy to care for.
What does a full grown redbud tree look like?
Eastern redbud is a small deciduous tree. Trees typically grow 20 feet in height with a similar spread and have gracefully ascending branches and a rounded shape. Eastern redbud leaves are alternate, simple, broadly heart-shaped and 3 to 5 inches high and wide. Leaves emerge reddish, turning green as they expand.
What type of soil does Eastern Redbud grow in?
The eastern redbud grows in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, well-drained and clay soils.
What color are the leaves on a sage tree?
Features somewhat heart-shaped leaves 2–6" in length. They emerge a reddish color, turning dark green as summer approaches and then yellow in the fall.
How fast does a sage tree grow?
This tree grows at a medium rate, with height increases of 13–24" per year.
How long are acorn pods?
Yields brown to brownish-black pods that are 2–3" in length, remaining on the tree throughout winter.
Where did the sage tree originate?
Native to North America and Canada with cousins in Europe and Asia, this tree was noted by Spaniards who made distinctions between the New World species and their cousins in the Mediterranean region in 1571. Centuries later, George Washington reported in his diary on many occasions about the beauty of the tree and spent many hours in his garden transplanting seedlings obtained from the nearby forest.
What is the Eastern Redbud Tree
The Eastern Redbud Tree is a showy flowering, deciduous tree native to North America. Scientifically known as Cercis canadensis, it will grow to 25′ tall and wide in full sun and well drained soil. The Redbud blooms a beautiful, prolific display of pink flowers in early Spring that lasts about a month and feeds numerous pollinators. [1] [2] [3]
Native Range of Eastern Redbud Tree
The Eastern Redbud Tree is native to a large swath of Eastern North America from Texas and Florida North to Iowa and even into Connecticut. It’s range even crosses over into Southern Ontario. This is a testament to it’s adaptability to different growing conditions.
Identification and Characteristics of Eastern Redbud Tree
As a general rule Eastern Rebud Trees grow 12-30′ tall with a short trunk but an irregular, wide-spreading canopy / crown. Often it is multi-stem or has multiple trunks.
Grow and Care for Eastern Rebud Tree
The Eastern Redbud Tree will grow 24″ per year in optimum conditions of full sun and well drained soil. [1]
How to Grow Eastern Redbud from Seed
Redbud seeds have a double dormancy in that they need both scarification and cold stratification to germinate. [9] [10]
Video Guide to growing Eastern Redbud Tree from seed
Below is a step by step guide I made some years ago to germinate Eastern Redbud Seeds.
Wildlife, Pests, and Diseases associated with Eastern Redbud
Bees are the primary pollinators of Eastern Redbud trees. This includes honeybees, bumblebees, mason bees, and numerous other species.
What are the flowers of Eastern Redbud?
Eastern redbud flowers ( Cercis canadensis ). white flowers of serviceberry and wild plum and before (and during) the white and pink flowers of the flowering dogwood. Although the flower of the species is lavender-pink, certain varieties and cultivars have white, magenta-pink or rosy pink flowers.
What is wrong with redbuds?
Problems. Redbuds are very susceptible to Botryosphaeria canker and dieback on the branches. This is a fungal disease that enters twigs and branches, feeds on the living tissue below the bark, and spreads around the stem. Once it encircles the branch, the water supply beyond that point is cut off to the leaves.
How long does it take for redbuds to grow?
Redbuds grow at a moderate rate, about 7 to 10 feet in five to six years. They tend to be short-lived, often declining from disease after about 20 years.
How big do redbuds get?
Mature Height/Spread. Redbuds always remain small, maturing at 20 to 30 feet in height and 15 to 35 feet in width. They generally grow as a small tree with a divided trunk close to the ground. The spreading crown is usually rounded to flat-topped. It can develop as a multi-trunk shrub.
Where is the redbud tree?
Redbud. Eastern redbud ( Cercis canadensis ), also called Judas tree, is an outstanding, deciduous ornamental tree in South Carolina . This is a small tree native to the eastern United States and Canada, with lavender-pink blossoms that open early in spring and are as colorful as any flowering spring tree in the landscape.
How to get rid of disease on a tree?
Pruning out the diseased branches and disposing of the cuttings will significantly help to reduce disease. Prune when the stems and foliage are dry. Cut the stem 6-8” below where any sunken, cracked or diseased area is, and disinfest the pruners between cuts with a spray of rubbing alcohol on the pruners.
How tall does Carolina Sweetheart grow?
Grows to 15 feet tall with a vase-shaped habit. Cultivar has reddish-purple flowers; seedpods are rarely produced. Carolina Sweetheart™ (‘NCCC1’; PP#27,712) – Following the pink flowers of spring, the foliage of this cultivar emerges rich maroon, and slowly change to shades of white, green, and hot pink.
What is the bark of a redbud tree used for?
Early folk healers used the bark to treat common maladies and sometimes even leukemia . And many Native Americans chose the wood of the California redbud for their bows. But the sheer springtime beauty of the redbud may be its greatest hold on the American spirit.
Where do redbuds grow?
The California redbud ( Cercis occidentalis) is a small, shrub-like tree seldom reaching 20 feet tall and native from southern Utah and Nevada through California to Arizona. It is known for its red-purple flowers and for notch-tipped and smaller leaves than those found on other redbuds. (Grows in hardiness zones 7 to 9.)
What is a redbud tree?
Redbud. The redbud is a tree that is valued far more than its small size might suggest. This lovely harbinger of spring has been called “a breath of fresh air after a long winter” and no less than “one of our most beautiful native trees” by tree expert Michael Dirr.
How long do redbuds last?
This little tree, which usually grows no taller than 30 feet, bears showy pink flowers in very early spring, flowers lasting for two to three weeks.
How tall does a redbud tree grow?
It grows up to 35 feet tall, with a slightly wider spread. Many a landscape is made all the more beautiful with the addition of an eastern redbud, which is distinguishable by divided, multiple trunks, a graceful, rounded crown, and flowers of pink (or, in some varieties, white) borne in groups of four to eight.
What is the tree called that hangs?
The redbud tree ( Cercis canadensis) is a member of the bean family and is known as a Judas tree because according to some, Judas Iscariot used a relative of the redbud to hang himself.
How long do redbud trees live?
Growing redbud trees in naturalized or woodland areas is popular as is using them for a shrub border or specimen. Redbud trees do not live long and will usually die from disease within 20 years.
How tall is a redbud tree?
Leaves are heart-shaped with a long stem. Redbuds are not large trees and will reach between 20 and 30 feet (6 and 9 m.) in height and 15 to 35 feet (4.5 to 0.6 m.) in width. The trunk is generally divided close to the ground.
What diseases can roses get?
The rosebud may develop the following diseases: 1 Anthracnose (leaf spots): Control with liquid copper fungicide spray. 2 Botryosphaeria canker and dieback (Botryosphaeria ribis): Control by pruning 3 to 4 inches below each canker (sanitize your tool between cuts) and applying fungicide spray. 3 Verticillium wilt (Verticillium albo-atrum and V. dahliae): Control with careful pruning (including sanitizing of pruning equipment), deep-root watering, and proper fertilization.
What is the scientific name for a redbud tree?
The scientific name for this tree is Cercis canadensis. It shares a spot in the Fabaceae (pea) family with other species like the Kentucky coffee tree, wattles ( Acacia spp.), powder puff tree ( Albizia julibrissin ), and wisteria ( Wisteria sinensis ). Eastern redbud is the common name for the genus. It can be referred to as simply "redbud," but ...
How to control botryosphaeria canker?
Botryosphaeria canker and dieback (Botryosphaeria ribis): Control by pruning 3 to 4 inches below each canker ( sanitize your tool between cuts) and applying fungicide spray.
How big is a redbud tree?
The Eastern redbud tree reaches 20 to 30 feet high and 25 to 35 feet wide. It forms into a vase shape and is prone to growing multiple trunks. The leaves are heart-shaped (cordate) and are approximately 3 to 5 inches across.
Why do redbuds have a short lifespan?
The species tends to have a short lifespan (on average, up to 20 years) because of disease, pest attacks, and other environmental factors.
How tall is Alba?
Alba: A naturally occurring form with white flowers; smaller than species tree, reaching about 15 to 25 feet in height
Where does Eastern Redbud come from?
The eastern redbud can grow successfully in zones 4 to 8. It originally comes from the midwestern and eastern United States. It is thought to be a drought-tolerant tree after a proper establishment period of one to two years.
What is a redbud tree?
Redbud trees are beautiful flowering trees that mesmerize us with their stunning sweetpea like blooms that thoroughly cover the canopy of these tre es in early spring. They also boast pretty heart-shaped leaves. Most redbud trees are large enough to provide some nice shade, but small enough to comfortably fit in a small yard.
How many inches of growth does a redbud tree have?
Growth Rate: 13 to 24 inches per year. This purple redbud tree adds distinction to your landscape with its regal purple leaves in spring, summer, and into fall. The fall foliage is golden yellow to fiery orange. The spring flowers of the Forest Pansy Redbud tree are purple.
How tall does a Ruby Falls Redbud tree get?
If you’re considering growing redbud trees in containers, this is the dwarf redbud tree for you! The Ruby Falls Redbud only grows to a mere 6 to 8 feet tall! This weeping redbud has branches that cascade beautifully down to the ground. The leaves are purple in spring and fall and green in summer.
How often should I fertilize my redbud tree?
I recommend a balanced slow release fertilizer. You will only need to use this product once or twice a year. Early spring is the best time to fertilize your redbud tree.
What affects the growth of redbud trees?
Soil, sun, water, and climate affect growth rates of trees. You will always have the best growth rates when your tree is well maintained and in an ideal spot. Check that your growing zone is approved for the redbud you choose. The growing zone recommendations vary between the different varieties of redbud trees .
How big do redbuds get?
As you can see, most redbuds grow fairly quickly for their relatively small size. They can easily grow more than one foot per year, but rarely grow more than two feet in a single year.
When does a redbud tree grow?
Rising Sun Redbud. This small redbud tree is vibrant and colorful. It boasts green, yellow, and orange leaves in spring and summer and yellow leaves in fall. Like most trees, the Rising Sun Redbud grows quickly when it is young and then around years 10 to 15 it slows in growth.

Mature Height/Spread
Growth Rate
- Redbuds grow at a moderate rate, about 7 to 10 feet in five to six years. They tend to be short-lived, often declining from disease after about 20 years.
Ornamental Features
- The most appealing feature of this tree is the showy flower, which is magenta in bud, but opens to lavender-pink before the leaves emerge early in spring. The flowers appear in clusters that nearly cover the bare branches of the tree. They remain for two to three weeks. They usually appear in early spring after the white flowers of serviceberry and wild plum and before (and during) the wh…
Landscape Use
- This tree is best used in naturalized areas, where the flowers are contrasted against evergreens or woodlands. It can be used as a specimen or in groupings in a shrub border. Although the redbud does well in most soil types, it prefers moist, well-drained sites. It does not, however, like those that are permanently wet. It tolerates acid or alkaline soils. It grows well in full sun but prefers s…
Problems
- Redbuds are very susceptible to Botryosphaeria canker and dieback on the branches. This is a fungal disease that enters twigs and branches, feeds on the living tissue below the bark, and spreads around the stem. Once it encircles the branch, the water supply beyond that point is cut off to the leaves. The branch will suddenly wilt and die. Redbuds that are under drought stress w…
Upright Cultivars & Varieties
- ‘Forest Pansy’ (PP#22,297) ̶ This is one of the earliest and most popular cultivars. It has deep burgundy foliage that loses its intense color in the heat of summer, becoming almost bronze Flowers...
- ‘Merlot’ (PP#22,297) – Semi-upright habit with deep wine-red, thick foliage and heat tolerance. A hybrid of ‘Forest Pansy’ (purple foliage) and ‘Texas White’ (var. texensis). Cultivar has a den…
- ‘Forest Pansy’ (PP#22,297) ̶ This is one of the earliest and most popular cultivars. It has deep burgundy foliage that loses its intense color in the heat of summer, becoming almost bronze Flowers...
- ‘Merlot’ (PP#22,297) – Semi-upright habit with deep wine-red, thick foliage and heat tolerance. A hybrid of ‘Forest Pansy’ (purple foliage) and ‘Texas White’ (var. texensis). Cultivar has a dense,...
- ‘Ace of Hearts’ (PP#17,161) – Similar to species except flower color is much pinker. A compact tree that grows to 12 feet tall.
- ‘Hearts of Gold’ (PP#17,740) ̶ Spring foliage is intense golden-yellow and gradually changes to chartreuses as the summer advances. More golden foliage in full sun. Grows to 15 feet tall w…
Weeping Cultivars
- texensis‘Traveler’ – A selection with a broad mound shape and weeping (gracefully arching) branches. New leaves emerge coppery green, then become dark and glossy green; flowers are lavender-pink. G...
- ‘Covey’ (Lavender Twist™; PP#10,328) ̶ A weeping form with arching branches that creates an umbrella-shaped crown. Leaves are a rich green, and fall color is golden yellow. Grows to 5 t…
- texensis‘Traveler’ – A selection with a broad mound shape and weeping (gracefully arching) branches. New leaves emerge coppery green, then become dark and glossy green; flowers are lavender-pink. G...
- ‘Covey’ (Lavender Twist™; PP#10,328) ̶ A weeping form with arching branches that creates an umbrella-shaped crown. Leaves are a rich green, and fall color is golden yellow. Grows to 5 to 6 feet ta...
- ‘Ruby Falls’ (PP#22,097) – Has a unique combination of dwarf, weeping growth habit and purple foliage. A hybrid of ‘Covey’ (weeping habit) and ‘Forest Pansy’ (purple foliage). By mid-summer, leaves...
- Whitewater (‘NC2007-8’; PP#23,998) ̶ Leaves emerge mostly white, then become variegated …
Related Species
- Chinese redbud (C. chinensis) ̶ This is a small, multi-stemmed shrub that grows 6 to 8 feet tall and wide. Its rosy purple flowers are showier and more profuse than Eastern Redbud. Leaves are also...
- Giant redbud (C. gigantea) – From China. Foliage is glossy and dark green. Leaves are 6 to 8 inches across. Grows to 15 to 20 feet tall.