How Close To A House Can You Plant A Redbud Tree?

Redbud trees are vibrantly colored trees that can really change the aesthetic of a property. And like any other tree that would get planted in a backyard, there are things to take into consideration. Remember, you want the tree to be protected and healthy, but you also want to keep your home protected as well.

That in mind, there are minimum distances that trees should be planted from a home. Redbud trees should be planted at least 25 feet from the foundation of the home. This is to reduce the potential to your foundation and to keep the branches away from the home.

It is a good idea to give your redbud trees at least 25 feet between their planting spot and the foundation of your home. The idea is to give the trees the proper space that they need for root growth and to ensure that the branches don’t interfere with the exterior of the house.

Growing them any closer to your home runs the risk of root damage to your foundation. Foundational damage is no joke. If structural damage occurs to your home, it can cost you upwards of $10,000 to repair and can even bring down the value of your home.

With the right sunlight and care, redbud trees can grow to be around 15-25 feet in width and 25-35 feet tall. Despite their native growing spaces being wooded, they are able to grow successfully in either partial shade or full sun.

The eastern redbud tree grows throughout much of the eastern part of the United States, spreading as far west as Texas and Oklahoma and even north into Canada. When it comes to soil preference, the redbud isn’t too picky. However, it tends to perform the best in a moist, well-drained area.

Due to their relatively modest size, redbuds work wonderfully as understory trees and are exceptionally beautiful when they’re planted in groups. Their horizontal branching pattern provides architectural appeal to gardens and also creates a striking canopy for spring bulbs.

For best results with your redbuds, here are the ideal conditions:

Generally speaking, wild redbuds will be found growing on rocky outcrops with shallower soil depths. These should be considered the baseline conditions that a redbud tree will be able to tolerate. Determining the proper depth to plant a tree is actually simpler if the plant is in a container than if it is bare rooted.

Potted plants require that you bury the redbud up to the soil line that it had in the container or in the ball-and-burlap that you will see in the nursery. For trees that are bare-root, plant them so that the soil is covering the highest roots and absolutely no part of the trunk.

This is important because younger trees will have underdeveloped root systems. For underdeveloped tree root systems, the planting holes won’t be more than a foot deep by a couple of feet wide. Prepare a hole that is at least as wide and two or three times as deep as the size of the root ball.

It is important to keep in mind that the first year is critical for newly planted trees to receive both the proper amount of water and nutrients. This is why laying down mulch is so crucial to the successful growth of the tree.

Start with a thick layer of mulch and spread it out up to the drip line of the tree and at the very edges of the branch spread. This will help to conserve water while also reducing the requirements for watering on the redbud.

Be careful with your watering, though. Redbuds are not tolerant to overwater. If you are planting in an area that has exposure to salt spray, it can be deadly to the longevity of the redbud. They can also tolerate moderate dry spells. However, if they’re planted in full sun, they must be watered regularly.

Redbud trees are in a class of trees known as fast-growing trees. This means that a small-sized tree in this grouping will reach maturity within three or four years.

The redbud will begin to produce flowers typically by its third year. Because it is a short-lived plant, it will generally live to be around 30 to 40 years old before it dies and needs to be replaced. For most homeowners, that means one or two redbuds will last a lifetime.

There are some kinds of trees that have root systems that are known as invasive roots. Invasive roots are just that: they invade other areas of the yard and can overtake other plants. Plants with invasive roots can overtake and destroy other vegetation in the area.

Redbud roots are not invasive, thankfully. They actually fit quite well into tight or small gardens. They will not intrude on hardscapes, either. What does this mean? Redbuds will do well near sidewalks, parking lots, and other large concrete areas. They also can hold up well if they are grown in large containers.

The type of tree that gets planted in a backyard can also be contingent on the type of wildlife that it attracts. Certain trees will attract certain types of insects and birds to the area. The redbud tree is no different in that.

Redbud trees attract cardinals and cedar waxwings. Despite the fact that they do eat the flowers and buds of the redbud tree, they don’t eat much so you don’t have to worry about a lot of damage. These beautiful birds can be a welcome sight for homeowners, working in tandem with the beautiful aesthetic that the blossoms bring to the table.

Like other plants, redbud trees are susceptible to pests and diseases. The most destructive diseases to redbud trees are caused by fungal infections like leaf spots, canker or dieback, and verticillium wilt. This is especially true for older redbud trees. It is important to identify the infection early in order to successfully save the trees.

As for insects, redbud trees are impacted by scale insects, spider mites, and tree hoppers. If you happen to notice that your redbud tree is under attack from pests, remove them as soon as you can. When you have gotten rid of them, follow appropriate measures to keep them under control going forward.