Redbud trees are often grown for their ornamental value. Their bright pink-to-purple flowers coat the branches each spring before turning into seed pods in summer. Did you know you can collect the seeds and use them to easily grow your own redbud trees? Keep reading. In this article, we’ll talk about how to start a redbud tree from seed.
What You'll Learn Today
Start By Collecting the Seeds
Before you can start growing your redbud trees, you’ll need to collect seeds. Redbud trees are commonly found growing in the wild throughout central and eastern North America; you can collect your seeds from trees already growing in your region.
You’ll want to gather your seeds in the fall, when the seed pods are dry and brown but before they have broken open to release their seeds. The pods tend to grow in clusters; gently grab a cluster of pods and pull them loose from the branch.
Each pod contains several seeds that look similar to lentils. Once you are ready to plant the seeds, open the pods and dump the seeds into a dry container.
How to Grow a Redbud Tree from Seed: Direct-Sowing
The simplest method for growing your own redbud trees is to direct-sow them outside in the fall. You’ll want to start by preparing spots in your yard where you want the trees to grow.
Make sure you leave at least 12 feet between each spot so your trees have room to spread out. Redbud trees don’t get very large, but they do best when they have plenty of room so they aren’t competing for resources.
Prepare the soil by removing weeds and loosening the soil with a shovel or trowel. Plant one to two seeds in each spot you prepare.
Water the seeds well and cover the area with a thin layer of mulch if desired. The seeds will rest through the winter and germinate in the spring.
How to Grow a Redbud Tree from Seed: Starting Inside
While direct-sowing is the easiest planting method, your seeds may or may not germinate. There is also a chance that something will happen to the seeds before they have a chance to germinate; for example, animals might dig them up.
If you want to have more control over environmental conditions when starting your seeds, you can start them inside by following the steps below.
Step 1: Scarify the Seeds
Redbud seeds are coated in a hard outer shell that must be broken for the seeds to sprout. The process of breaking down this coating is called scarification.
You can scarify seeds in different ways. Some people soak them in warm water for 24 hours, while others manually scrape them along a piece of sandpaper to rub away parts of the shell.
The most effective scarification method for redbud seeds is to boil a small amount of water, remove it from the heat, and pour it into a heat-safe container with your seeds. Allow the water and seeds to sit for 24 hours.
The seeds will appear larger at the end of the scarification process due to the amount of water they soak up.
Step 2: Cold-Stratify the Seeds
In the wild, redbud seeds sit in the ground through the winter before sprouting in the spring. We can mimic this process through cold-stratification.
You can stratify your seeds by placing one each in containers of potting soil, covering the containers, and setting them outside for several weeks during the winter, as shown in the video below:
Alternatively, you can place the seeds in a plastic bag or container with a mix of peat moss and sand, making sure there are holes or openings in the container for air flow. Store the container in a refrigerator, or in any spot that maintains a steady temperature of 35 to 41 degrees F, for about five to eight weeks.
Step 3: Plant the Seeds
After stratifying the seeds, plant them in containers of potting soil, one seed per container. Plant them about ¼ of an inch below the soil for best germination rates.
Water the seeds well, place them in a warm spot of your house, and continue watering them periodically to keep the soil moist.
Once the seeds sprout, place them in an area where they will receive plenty of light from a sunny window or a grow light.
Step 4: Transplant Seedlings if Necessary
If your redbud seedlings start to outgrow their small planters before you can transfer them to the ground, you may need to transplant them into bigger pots.
Prepare the larger pots with moist potting soil, leaving room for a seedling’s root ball in each one. Carefully remove the seedling from its existing container and place it in the new pot, making sure not to damage the roots.
Fill in the rest of the pot with soil, water well, and place in a warm, sunny spot. As the seedlings grow and the weather begins to warm, place your seedlings outside on nice days to help them adjust to outdoor conditions.
How to Plant Your Redbud Sapling Outside
You can transplant your young redbuds outside in the spring or the fall. Follow the steps below:
Step 1: Prepare the Ground
Remove weeds from any spot in your yard where you plan to plant your trees. Again, be sure to leave at least 12 feet between each spot so your trees have room to grow.
Dig a hole in the soil that’s as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Loosen the soil around the sides and edges of the hole, which will make it easier for the tree roots to penetrate the soil after transplanting.
Step 2: Prepare the Sapling
Carefully remove your young tree from its container and prune away any circling roots. Your plants will adjust better to the transplanting if they are not rootbound.
Place the sapling in the hole you’ve prepared, ensuring that it fits well and doesn’t cramp the roots. Make the hole larger if you need to, then begin adding the soil you removed back in around the root ball.
Press the soil down gently around the roots, and make sure the tree is straight as you continue adding soil.
Step 3: Water and Mulch the Area
When the hole is half-filled with dirt, water it well before adding the rest of the soil back in. There is no need to add more water after you’ve finished backfilling the soil.
Add three to four inches of mulch around the sapling, making sure it doesn’t get too close to the trunk. The layer of mulch should extend out about two or three feet from the sapling.
How to Care For Your Redbud Tree
Redbuds are generally pretty hardy and adaptable. They can thrive in many soil types and environments as long as you provide some basic care.
Most redbuds need consistent moisture but will die if the soil is too wet. Water your plants thoroughly about once a week until they become established; after that, they should only need water during periods of drought.
The trees don’t have to be fertilized but may benefit from a yearly application of a general tree and shrub fertilizer. Follow the instructions on the product label, and apply during the early spring.
Prune away any dead, damaged, or diseased branches. You may also choose to remove all but one main branch if you want your redbud to grow as a single-trunk tree.
Conclusion
You can start redbud trees from seed by collecting mature seeds in the fall and planting them in the winter. You can either direct-sow them in your yard or plant them inside after scarifying and stratifying them.
