I don't know the answer but I do know that redbuds, like many plants make an excess of seeds. Maybe that's the way they survive, seeds come up everywhere but only thrive in certain spots.

Eastern redbuds (Cercis canadensis) are fairly short lived and are naturally small, somewhat slow-growing, understory trees. They only rarely get larger than about 20' (typical mature height is around 15') or live longer than about 20 years (typical lifespan is about 15 years). Cancer/dieback (Botryosphaeria berengeriana), Verticillium wilt, and leaf anthracnose (Mycosphaerella cercidicola) just won't leave these trees alone for long.

Thanks Brandon..

Hmmm, I had assumed that the redbud was a native tree and relatively impervious to those kinds of problems. Kind of the sturdier alternative to Dogwoods.

Well, they certainly look happy in the back wooded area in their youth.

The larger redbuds in the neighborhood do appear to have multiple wounds.

I haven't decided on what, exactly, I want to do to that area of my backyard. A Redbud understory forest seems to be a decent (and cheap) choice for now.

Anything is better than the amazing 1-foot-per-day weedy "tree" plants that are competing back there.

There's nothing really wrong with short lived smaller trees. I don't care for short lived large trees, but the smaller ones can be thought of and treated as semi-temporary. They won't be nearly as hard to deal with at end-of-life as a giant silver maple or hybrid poplar. I have many redbuds scattered through my wooded area, and really like them.

Oh yeah, the thing I like least about redbuds is there tendency to develop poor branch attachments (narrow crotches with included bark). Careful pruning and training can minimize this problem. If you address the branches when they are very small, clothes pins can work well to increase crotch angles. For slightly larger, but still easily pliable, branches, branch-spreader like those used in orchards work well.

I've noticed that poor branching thing, too. Man, it seems like natural selection must have failed to select for "strong" branching.

I'll move through my upcoming redbud forest and try to help mother nature with the selection of better branches. That's actually one of my favorite gardening duties.

Not gonna due the branch spreading thing, though. I'm just not that dedicated.

Actually, I'm kinda surprised that you are so hip to the redbud vibe, Brandon.