The traffic-stopping sight of redbud in bloom is one of the earliest signs of spring; pink flowers smother the bare branches for a couple of weeks before the leaves appear.
Texas Redbud is fast-growing, with rounder, thicker leaves than it’s Eastern Redbud cousin, making it a little more drought-hardy. It can be grown in the understory around larger shade trees, although it flowers better in sun.
Pruning is always optional. Always make cuts near a bud or branch; focus on minimizing dead, damaged or rubbing branches. Remove no more than 25% of the total canopy during any five-year cycle. Never remove more than the lowest third of the tree in a single pruning period — for example, on a 12-foot tree, stick to the lowest 4 feet.
