Photo: Greg Hume, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Tree
Eastern redbud: when and how to prune
Cercis canadensis
Eastern redbud is best pruned in June.
| Pruning months | June |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in June |
| Flowering | April–May |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Eastern redbud: when to prune it?
After flowering, in June, and only when needed.
What else to prune in those months? June
Eastern redbud: how to prune it?
- Remove dead, damaged or crossing branches.
- Cut just outside the swollen collar at the base of the branch, without leaving a stub.
- Avoid large pruning wounds: they heal poorly and let in fungi.
- In the first years, shape a young tree with a few strong main branches or stems.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: June.
- Never remove more than about a quarter of the crown at once. Better a little every year.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in June can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Eastern redbud flowers in April–May, when it attracts bees.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: It flowers on old wood, even on the trunk. So do not prune in winter, and do not remove thick branches without good reason.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Eastern redbud · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.