And Speaking of Trees ... the Native Redbud

You may have been out in your garden cursing as you’ve pulled hundreds of “tourist” seedlings from your precious garden beds. Many of the seedlings we find in our beds come from non-native invasives such as Chinese Sumac (Tree of Heaven, Ailanthus altissima), Privet (Ligustrum sinense), White or Common Mulberry (Morus alba), to name a few. However, there are some volunteer seedlings that you may choose to keep. The Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis), is one worthy of determining if it is the “right plant in the right place”. The new branches have a reddish smooth bark while the aged bark is mottled grey. The tree sports early spring light purple flowers (which are edible, by the way) on bare branches. The seed pods (also edible when early and green) mature in late summer and may be messy over a patio or deck. This large shrub/small tree has a wonderful spreading form, growing up to 30 feet, but generally staying around 15 - 20 feet. This is a native forest edge tree - they need sun to bloom but don’t like to much of it.

Why write this article now? It seems that the last few years have been ideal for Redbud germination. Generally, these seeds can remain dormant for years and require scarification (scratching, passing through an animal’s digestive tract). Of late, I’ve found some seedlings which have grown seemingly over night into respectable specimens. At left is a tiny seedling. Note the distinctive heart shaped leaves which makes it very easy to spot a Redbud. So - Move them? Leave them where they are? Or, axe them?

Moving - Last year, I found a two and half foot redbud sneaking its way in the back of one of my flower beds. As it was not near any special plant, I decided I had room to dig, plus a better place for it. Guess what? That little bugger had a LONG tap root! Apparently, they spend their first couple of years developing the taproot before creating a shallow root system. I persevered, and dug the thing out (2 feet of taproot), and moved it to what I thought was a good location (see right) - at the base of my drive amongst maples and an ornamental plum. Turns out, after a little research, it has too much shade which will affect the bloom of the tree. However, the shape is wonderful, and all that hard work will not go to waste. The tree is doing well in the shade for now and moving it again would likely kill it. Lesson? If you move a seedling, move it EARLY!

Leaving Where It Is: Location Location Location! If your Redbud Invader is located in an area that could use a little height, and color boost, and would not mind a little shade, then consider leaving it. Is it too close to another tree? Not good, as they will compete for space and water. The Redbud at the left is close enough to the tree that it is leaning to grow towards the light. This will not make a nice specimen though everything else about the area is fine. It will be too hard to move with the roots of the adjacent tree. It will have to be axed. The tree to the right (in the same bed, other side as the photo at left) seems to be in a perfect place. Though it is about the same distance from its neighboring tree, the sun is afternoon vs morning, so it is getting plenty without reaching. This volunteer has been in the bed for only one year. Yes - one year. It must be in a great spot! The Tulip Poplar it is near is over 60 feet tall, with the lowest branches above the second story of the house, so this tree will continue to have plenty of space to grow and thrive - and enough sun to bloom with shade to be protected. Wow - it’s amazing what happens when something is in the right location!

Will it shade some sun loving perennials? Not good. At the left is a little friend who popped up in my Peony Garden (which becomes a summer Phlox bed). Well, peony and phlox don’t mind a little shade - but powdery mildew can become an issue with both. This one is a tough call - note how this Redbud will help screen the neighbor’s driveway and parking area. I think I may be keeping this one.

If you really want to see a wonderful showing of Redbuds, mark your calendars and drive down Route 15 next May, between Leesburg and Gilberts Corner (Route 50), and you will see Redbuds in all of their native glory! Later in the spring, the Redbuds are not at their peak, but the native Serviceberry glowing in the forests make a stunning contrast. This is a fine time of year to visit Oatlands Plantation, just minutes south of Leesburg, in the heart of Redbud Central.

Linda Shotton, Loudoun County Master Gardener