The Best Time to Prune Redbuds

When to Prune

• Remove dead limbs and branches during times when the tree is entering, in or emerging from dormancy. Those times are in late fall, winter and early spring. Sap flow is minimal during these times, and the tree is not using energy for new growth or to set buds. Prune live branches only after the tree completes its springtime blooming.

What to Remove

• Removal of dead or dying branches should be the first priority. These branches can harbor insects or disease that may damage the rest of the tree. Redbuds tend to branch low on the trunk. Once the tree is at least 10 feet all, remove the lower limbs to help reduce the bush-like appearance that low branches tend to foster. Remove branches that have twisted together, that rub against one another or that grow toward the inside of the tree. These actions improve the appearance and lessen the chance of damage later on.

How Much to Prune

• Prune branches to within 1/4 inch of the branch collar -- the widened base of the limb where it attaches to the trunk. This allows the wound to heal quickly. Leaving a few inches of the old branch on the tree results in that section dying off, which can harm the rest of the tree by creating an opening for insects, fungi or diseases. Pay particular attention to the forks or tree crotches; redbuds are prone to weak wood at these points. "V"-shaped forks are more likely to break than "U"-shaped joints, which more solidly bond the two branches.

Pruning Tools

• Hand-pruning shears are fine for limbs that are 1/2 inch in diameter or less. Loppers do a better job with less effort on thicker branches. If large-diameter limbs must be removed, saw them off with paring saws armed with a coarse blade.