Growing Conditions

• Native woodland redbud habitats are rich in leaf mold and composted organic material. The gardener should duplicate these conditions by incorporating lots of organic material when planting redbud. The organic materials provide natural nutrition and improve drainage.
  
  

Lifespan

• Like many fast-growing trees, redbuds are not long-lived. They grow quickly to their ultimate size and start to decline after about 20 years. This is especially true if redbuds are grown in poorly drained or heavy clay soils.
  
  

Longer Life

• Redbuds should be pruned of dead and diseased wood to prevent the spread of fungal diseases. Careful attention should be paid to plant nutrition as the tree ages. Chemical stress from overfertilization and herbicide overspray can hurt any tree, especially old or weakened specimens.