Can You Prune a Redbud to Be Short?

Three Redbud Varieties

• Three different redbud species are generally cultivated, with slightly different growth habits and climate preferences. The eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) grows as a native North American tree and is the most cold-hardy of the varieties. It thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9 and is a moderate-to-fast grower when young, eventually becoming 20 to 30 feet tall when unpruned. The western redbud (Cercis occidentalis) is a bit smaller, about 15 to 25 feet high when mature, with an equal spread, while the Chinese redbud (Cercis chinensis) is an Asian native that's smaller, about 8 to 15 feet tall. The western and Chinese redbud trees grow in USDA zones 6 through 9. All three types tend to grow as multi-trunked trees with a somewhat spreading, vase-shaped habit.

Prune After Flowering

• Redbud trees are early-season bloomers that cover their branches with clusters of tiny, deep-rose flowers before leaves appear. They generally bloom in early spring, usually in late March or early April in most areas, and are one of the first flowering heralds of winter's end. The best time to prune a redbud is immediately after its flowers fade, so the tree has the entire upcoming season to develop new growth and store nutrients. You can also prune during summer or early fall, but you may see fewer flowers the next spring. Avoid pruning during late fall, because this can spur tender new growth that's easily damaged by winter's cold.

Prune for a Wide, Short Tree

• Start a pruning regimen on a young tree when its shape and size are easiest to control. You can also prune an older specimen, but should do so gradually with modest pruning each year to avoid stressing the tree. A redbud can be pruned to grow as a single-trunked tree, but this shape naturally produces a more erect, taller tree. To help keep the tree short, allow several trunks to grow, because this promotes a low, broad canopy. Each spring, choose upward-growing branches and prune these back by about one-third, allowing more outward-growing branches to remain unpruned. Make cuts just ahead of an outward-facing bud to promote broad new growth. This approach tends to produce a wider, shorter tree.

Remove Dead Wood, Crossed Branches

• Besides pruning to control a redbud's size, it's also a good idea to examine the tree each year for any branches that cross each other. Crossing branches can injure the tree's bark on windy days, giving pests easy entry. When pruning, remove one of any crossing branches to prevent these problems. Inspect the tree for any diseased or dead branches, looking for evidence of severe insect infestation or any type of mechanical damage. If you're unsure about the health of a branch, use a fingernail or small knife to score the bark, looking for soft, greenish tissue under the bark. If the branch is dry and brown under its bark, it isn't living and should be removed.