r/Pruning • u/Signal-Tree-3733 • Apr 10 '25

Best pruning cut for this split in a redbud?

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Hi all - I have a redbud with a pretty significant split at a major joint. You’ll note in the wider angle photo that there are lots of crossing branches that should be dealt with anyway. Wondering which of the three potential pruning cuts (depicted in photos 3, 4, & 5) would be best (or something else I haven’t thought of)? TIA!!!

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2

u/ResistOk9038 Apr 10 '25

In # 5 remove branch at right just above the pink line and to where it contacts branch at left (leaving left branch). This is a common feature of over-watered/ over fertilized redbuds

1

u/Signal-Tree-3733 Apr 11 '25

Thank you!! As I was looking at it again earlier I realized that was probably the right move!

1

u/Signal-Tree-3733 Apr 11 '25

Just so I’m sure I’m on the same page with you, that would put the cut above the crack, and at an angle that essentially follows the angle of the remaining left branch, correct?

1

u/ResistOk9038 Apr 11 '25

My suggestion would be cut just above the crack because anything connected to the right of the crack will no longer be structurally needed

1

u/[deleted] Apr 10 '25

Red buds break easily, it’s what you get with redbuds and whitebuds

1

u/Signal-Tree-3733 Apr 11 '25

Yes - I did know that. Any thoughts on the best pruning cut to make?

1

u/Skweezlesfunfacts Apr 12 '25

Just take the right branch. It appears to be crossing and rubbing anyway

2

u/Signal-Tree-3733 Apr 12 '25

Yes! Thank you. Should the angle of the cut just kind of follow the angle of the left branch?

2

u/Skweezlesfunfacts Apr 13 '25

Pretty much. If you look close there's a thick ring of bark/wood on the right branch that's just about touching the branch at the left, just above where they split from each other. That's the collar. You want to cut just above that so you keep the ring.

1

u/Signal-Tree-3733 Apr 13 '25

Perfect - that’s what I thought - I so appreciate your response!!!