Eastern Redbud - Seedlings messy?

13 years ago

Hi,

I was thinking about getting an Eastern Redbud - Cercis Canadensis. Can anyone tell me:

1) Are the pods that fall of the tree are messy or invasive? Are these seeds that plant themselves?

2) How are the roots of these trees? Are the roots good around sidewalks?

Thanks for any help, Chris

Featured Answer

Iris GW

13 years ago

I have found that the cultivar 'Forest Pansy' makes a lot fewer seeds than the species.

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Comments (15)

gardningrandma
13 years ago
Some people complain about the seed pods but I have not heard of anyone complain about them self sowing like some other trees; maple, oak and ash for example. They should be fine 2-3' away from the sidewalk.
Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis
13 years ago
They do seed as well as anything in my yard. I have volunteres i let grow into trees.

Not as many as a big ash or maple. Redbuds are smaller though.
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brandon7 TN_zone7
13 years ago
1) You don't say where you are from (location), but Cercis canadensis is native (hence, not invasive by definition) in much of the US. Besides that, they are not even a slightly aggressive seeder around here (Tennessee).

2) Since Cercis canadensis is generally a smaller tree, I don't think you will have to worry about root problems (at least not nearly as much as some of the larger trees known to be sidewalk lifters).
Tim
13 years ago
I have been around Eastern Redbuds most of my life. The seeds are not messy at all. In fact, they hang on all Summer and fall off with the leaves in Autumn. Eastern Redbuds propogate themselves a little bit, but not very badly. Thay are not a problem that way. Also, they do not produce surface roots at all.
There is just one thing. They can be prone to certain diseases. You will probably have to spray your Redbud at least once in its lifetime with a fungucide.
denninmi
13 years ago
Not particularly messy, the pods are small, light, and easily cleaned up in the spring if any are left. Most of them fall in the winter and blow away on the wind.

You will get a handful of seedlings, but no great quantity, certainly not a rampant self sower like Silver Maple or Alianthus.

The roots are deep and should not interfere with driveways or walks.
bellily
Original Author
13 years ago
I bought this tree and just planted in my front yard today. Now, I can't wait to see it grow and bloom!!!! I may try the Forest Panzy in my back yard next year. Thanks everyone for all the help. Chris
barbteig_gmail_com
13 years ago
Our redbuds have not dropped their seed pods this year. Is this a sign of trouble? Is there anything we can do??
Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis
13 years ago
My redbud in the more protected location holds its seed pods longer than the volunteers out in the open do. Something about redbuds makes ppl smile. The heart shaped leaves on the little volunteers, the seed pods, I dont know. Sorta like how adorable babies are when they poop on themselves lol.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
hey barb ...

should have started your own post.. mostly so you could check the box to get replies to your post sent to your mailbox ...

regardless ... the pods fall.. when the pods fall ... there really isnt much you can do about it ... so there is nothing to worry about.. if that is where you are in all this ....

i think what you are noticing is the rule.. rather than the exception .. mine are still on the tree.. and i think that is normal ...

ken
ademink
13 years ago
i must have incredibly fertile soil. my redbuds reseed like MAD - an absolute nightmare this past summer. i can't get rid of the seedlings - they were worse than the silver maples this year!
megamawax
12 years ago
I also have some redbuds, and they, too, are a nightmare - they are constantly popping up all over my yard. Probably the only thing causing me more trouble right now is the Asian honeysuckles, which I'm trying to completely eradicate. Interestingly enough, I'm also located in central Indiana.
inlikeflint
11 years ago
We have had lost of redbuds because our neighbor had redbuds. We use two of the trees as a deck umbrella to sit beneath (They came up by seed next to our deck and we let them grow.)
All of the redbud trees we have in our yard came up from seed. The seeds are very tough and can stay dormant in the soil for years. They are not invasive, but if they like where they are planted they will bring friends.
I really like the trees, and the shade canopy is excellent.

(I have heavy clay soil.)
Sara Malone Zone 9b
11 years ago
I have many Cercis canadensis and Cercis chinensis. The C. chinensis are way more aggressive seeders than the C. canadensis. They also have much showier pods, large and deep maroon in summer so quite ornamental. I doubt I've had even a dozen C. canadensis seedlings in 15 years, whereas I have hundreds of C. chinensis every year.
calliope
11 years ago
My C. canadensis does reseed pretty willingly, and since it can be a short-lived tree, the one by the back door is in fact a seedling off a previous redbud. Not a big deal, They get mowed or weeded, but I feel like a murderer when I do it. Get a lot of enjoyment out of ours and it's a pretty little tree even out of bloom. If they pop up in the right place, we just leave them and let them grow. The seedlings are delicate and pull out easily and don't have roots to China. It's a pretty un-fussy tree.