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Redbud Failed to Set Flowers this Spring

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From: Tom Vorac City: Geneseo, IL
I have a 12 dbh redbud in the backyard that did not flower this year but did leaf out. Never happened before. Is this because of the drought last year? Should I be concerned? I also have a maple (6"dbh) and the main leader did not leaf out the top 12 inches. Should I cut off what did not leaf out?
	Extension Message From: Jay Hayek Extension Specialist, Forestry Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences jhayek@illinois.edu
Hi Tom: Unfortunately, I do not have a good answer for you regarding your eastern redbud. This year's cool, wet weather combined with last year's severe drought definitely appear to be two likely culprits. I would do some corrective pruning to your maple tree in order to encourage the development of a new, dominant central leader.
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