Rising Sun Redbud only partially flowered

6 years ago

We had this Rising Sun Redbud planted last spring and it seemed to do fine all year, but this spring it only partially flowered and got leaves on just a few branches. Can it be saved or is it dying? It gets lots of sun and drains well.

Featured Answer

sah_upstate4 (zone 5b - NY)

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I'm convinced this cultivar is not very durable. We planted one in the fall of 2017 in a similar growing situation to yours, albeit in zone 5. It came through the first winter ok and grew beautifully during spring/summer 2018, but somehow just totally kicked the bucket during the following winter and was dead as a doornail come the spring of 2019.

None of the other Redbud cultivars we have on our property ('Appalachian Red' and 'Northern Herald') have had any issues, despite being planted around the same time as the 'Rising Sun', and in similar conditions.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
Need a photo of the tree and your geographic location.
Ray Toth
Original Author
6 years ago
We're in Huntsville AL, thanks!
Related Professionals
St. Louis Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Clarksville Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Kalispell Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · McAllen Landscape Contractors · Morgantown Landscape Contractors · Hempstead Landscape Contractors · San Marcos Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Providence Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Johnson City Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Santa Fe Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Southaven Landscape Contractors · Kennewick Landscape Contractors · Petersburg Home Additions · Brainerd Home Additions · Bozeman Home Additions
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
if you have a warranty.. use it ...

that bud.. way down low.. indicates to me.. everything above is struggling ...

and everything not leafed out.. is probably dead ... but you could give it another month to make sure.. but even if it comes on late ... its heavily stressed ...

though the plain old..plain old.. grows and seeds like the devil in my MI ... all my attempts with the foo foo ones.. failed.. some quicker than others ... but i thought that was mostly a cold z5 thing .... they should do better in warmer zones ...

yes.. you could cut off all the dead stuff ... and what are you going to be left with ... one bizarre looking tree .. lol .. if it were out back on my 5 acres... it would be interesting to watch if for a few years.. and see what happens ...

but crikey.. yours is right out there in front of your castle... impressing the neighbors ... lol .. so its probably time to go ... or at least move it out back ...

i have had a lot of trouble with black mulch ... i bet that stuff gets hot in the heat of summer.. in AL ... if you have further problems with plants.. especially low growing plants.. that might be in the equation ...

if you have a warranty... either get money back.. or try something else .. imo ...

ken
Embothrium
6 years ago
People used to come on here rather often asking about partly dead Eastern redbuds, and it wasn't limited to horticultural selections that might have vulnerabilities not shared by the wild species.
pela
4 years ago
Ray, I am having the same problem with the redbud tree planted a couple years ago. Were you able to save the redbud?
cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
4 years ago
I have three established 'The Rising Sun' redbuds and mine are as vigorous as my species redbuds, nothing at all finicky or delicate about them.

IMO failures like this one point more to planting and establishment errors than they do any weaknesses in the cultivar. They get planted incorrectly and no one explains deep watering and how important it is during the tree's first year.