Redbud Tree Damage - Ask Extension
My redbud tree was damaged by my lawn care mower last Monday. I'm wondering what is the best thing to do with the damaged limb to protect the tree. ...
Knowledgebase
Redbud Tree Damage #872253
Asked June 09, 2024, 9:37 AM EDT
My redbud tree was damaged by my lawn care mower last Monday. I'm wondering what is the best thing to do with the damaged limb to protect the tree. Do you wrap the branch so nothing gets in the open injury? Do you need to remove the branch and if so, where is the best place to cut it? If the branch needs to be removed, do you paint that open wound?
Thanks for your help.
Martin County Minnesota
Expert Response
My inclination would be to take out that branch. It looks like the tree has plenty of remaining branches and that branch may never recover completely. The rule of thumb is not to take away more than 25% of the canopy of a young healthy tree.
But you could wait and see. Watch for a season or two. If the branch shows less vigor, then prune it out. In the meantime, trim away any loose material. Don't wrap or paint.
If you decide to take out the branch, you would make the cut near the trunk. Don't leave a stub, but make the cut at about a 60 degree angle. Don't paint it after the cut. There are plenty of videos showing how to do this. Here are two:
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/pruning-trees-and-shrubs
https://video.maine.edu/media/Pruning+Ornamental+Trees/1_vws21p7b
But you could wait and see. Watch for a season or two. If the branch shows less vigor, then prune it out. In the meantime, trim away any loose material. Don't wrap or paint.
If you decide to take out the branch, you would make the cut near the trunk. Don't leave a stub, but make the cut at about a 60 degree angle. Don't paint it after the cut. There are plenty of videos showing how to do this. Here are two:
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/pruning-trees-and-shrubs
https://video.maine.edu/media/Pruning+Ornamental+Trees/1_vws21p7b
Thank you for your reply.
If I leave the branch for now, what are the chances of a fungus or disease getting into the open wound on the branch.
What diseases are more likely to affect a Red Bud tree.
Thank you again Darlene Lutz
Yes, the wound does provide a pathway for infection. I am not going to speculate on the chances of that happening.
Another reason for pruning that branch out is that it will eventually be pruned out anyway. Branches do not move up a tree as it grows. A branch that is 4 feet off the ground will always be 4 feet off the ground. So as the tree grows, we prune out those low branches, but keeping enough of the tree to provide plenty of green canopy to sustain growth. Read here:
https://www.arborday.org/trees/bulletins/documents/001-summary.pdf
As for redbud diseases, there are many. Here is a good reference:
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=280440&isprofile=1&basic=redbud
I'll add to this list winter kill, since we seem to be on the northern edge of redbud's range.
Another reason for pruning that branch out is that it will eventually be pruned out anyway. Branches do not move up a tree as it grows. A branch that is 4 feet off the ground will always be 4 feet off the ground. So as the tree grows, we prune out those low branches, but keeping enough of the tree to provide plenty of green canopy to sustain growth. Read here:
https://www.arborday.org/trees/bulletins/documents/001-summary.pdf
As for redbud diseases, there are many. Here is a good reference:
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=280440&isprofile=1&basic=redbud
I'll add to this list winter kill, since we seem to be on the northern edge of redbud's range.
