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Almost dead redbud

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From: Mary Clark City: Rutland, MA
I bought a redbud tree from a local home supply store. Planted it in the fall and the following spring it did not develop any leaves but at least some of the branches looked alive. Same thing happened this spring but, just as we were ready to remove it, it began to leaf on a few lower branches. Now into summer, it has healthy looking leaves on about a quarter of the tree. The other branches are bare and it has never flowered.
	Extension Message From: Richard Hentschel Extension Educator, Horticulture DuPage/Kane/Kendall Unit hentsche@illinois.edu
Here in the Midwest, redbuds are often a spring plant only. If the bare branches are dead and I suspect so, prune them away. Begin to train the redbud with the branches that you have. Redbuds or any flowering plant will return to blooming once established in its new site in 2-5 years. Redbuds will sucker from the base, so you can use those too to recover your plant
From: Mary Clark City: Rutland, MA
Thank you, will try your advice.
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