Try a scratch test before you start cutting - lightly scratch at the bark and see if the cambium layer is still green, just under the bark. If it is brown, the branch is dead to that point and can be removed. If it is green, I would wait a bit longer - I don't guarantee that it will leaf out, but there is hope. If you are having a dry spell, I would water, and if you are having abundant rain, be thankful!

I would imagine the root cause was winter damage, possibly exacerbated by a difficult summer - although your summer MAY have been perfect, in which case it was probably the winter. It can happen that your summers in the PNW don't get hot enough to ripen the new growth so it can withstand the winter, and it is damaged - I have had damage here when the fall has been very long and mild, only to get wicked freezes in late Dec., to the detriment of several shrubs, despite the hot summers.

If after removing the branches the plant look a little un even I would prune all the major branches back 1/3. I have done this before with Forest Pansy and other redbuds and they have responded well.

David

David, is it ok to prune a forest pansy this time of year? I am asking because I just planted a 7ft tall forest pansy in April and it is doing very well but there is a branch that definitely needs to be removed but I was feeling I needed to wait until it was dormant. I would love to be able to do it now though. I will attached a picture. I don't know if you can tell but it is about 2 feet from the ground pointed directly at the ground. It is actually blended in with the purple petunias so you may not be able to tell. I hope am not being rude for asking a question on someone else's post. I usually do more reading than I do posting but felt this was the appropriate place to ask.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Traci, if the tree is very newly planted, I would leave the branch, since the more leaves, the more energy the tree will have to grow roots, which is what it needs to do, mostly, for the first year. However, if you really can't stand it, then you can remove it - it looks as though the tree has a healthy leaf canopy, and one branch less, whether now or later, won't kill it. If you can live with it, then wait until late winter/early spring, before the buds break. Whenever it comes off, remove it cleanly, close to the trunk.

Wynswrld, Redbuds do fine without having a central leader, but if you feel any of the branches are out of proportion with the tree as whole, then you can shorten them. Over time and probably in a year, the tree will grow branches that are more vertical, and will get taller. Again, if any of those branches look "wrong", then take them off or shorten them back to where they look "right".

Thank you. I think I will wait until it is dormant and just shorten in back. I appreciate the advice.

I know that I'm butting in here, but I really need some advice. I planted a red bud two yrs ago and it nearly doubled it's height last year, however the limbs grew so long they almost touch the ground when the wind is strong. When I trim it do I need to use some type of sealant? I really think I need to trim ans shape it. What do you think?

Nana, no, don't seal the ends - the cuts will be too small to matter.

It's up to you whether or not to shorten any branches - as the tree grows this year, the branches will thicken and most likely straighten as well - but you can certainly do so. Just remember to follow the good pruning principles of cutting to a smaller branch going in the direction you want, to the trunk or to a bud facing the direction you want the growth to go. Don't shorten lower branches more than higher-up branches, trim so that the lower ones can still get sun on them. Keep your pruner sharp. You can take out any branch that is crossing or rubbing another branch, to the point that future growth hopefully won't cross or rub either.

Do look carefully at the tree before you cut, and try to visualize what it will look like without THAT branch. If in doubt, take off half what you thought needed to come off and look again to see if that was enough. If still doubtful, you can go away and come back later to do more trimming - branches can always be cut later, but gluing them back on doesn't work!

Thank you so much. I moved into this house about 4 yrs ago due to a highway coming through. I had to leave two very nice redbuds that were taken down due to progress. This one I have now makes the move a little less painful as it reminds me of home. I will follow your directions as close as possible and thank you again for your help.