Back from the dead

We planted our 'Forest Pansy' redbud tree, 22 years ago this month. It's a tree with big gorgeous leaves summer and fall (below). We had a lot of winter dieback the first few years which made us nervous about the tree's survival. It also leafed out later than any other Redbuds in the neighborhood. 

When we checked with Peter Moersh at Stonewall Nursery, he gave us this advice: "If it hasn't leafed out by the 4th of July, it's probably dead." Though he was joking, we took that concept to heart and no longer worried. It was always so full and gorgeous by the 4th that we often had to prune it. This is what it looked like on June 10th of this year. 

It seemed pretty clear that last year's drought and the lack of snow during the winter had put an end to this beauty. We were too busy to do anything about it right away, other than half-heartedly talk about replacement trees. But then something happened. The two lowest branches started to leaf ou — and not just with a few scattered leaves. Still, the tree looked more than a little sad with only those two branches covered with leaves. 

By the time the 4th of July arrived, the tree was sprouting new growth all over.

New foliage was on most of the main trunks and branches.

One minute I think it looks silly; the next sublime.

It seems as though the tree is going to survive after all, though it's probably too soon to count our blessings. But two things are clear. (Double click to clearly see the live and dead branch mix.)

One: That Peter's humorous advice is spot on. And two: We're lucky we were too busy to cut the tree down.

Comments

[Kristin]

Thank goodness you were too busy. It's a lovely tree.

[Tracy]

Redbuds have a short lifespan.

[Kris P]

I love forest pansy trees and have long wished to grow one. I'm glad yours came back from the brink and I hope next winter's weather is beneficial to its enduring health.

[Barbara H.]

I'm a little dubious about its long term prognosis but maybe that's because I'm slowly losing my dogwoods, which are old and have suffered through numerous hot summers and drought. It's a beautiful shape and in a wonderful spot to show it off, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for it and you.

[Linda Brazill]

When you first start planting trees, twenty years seems like forever.

[Beth@PlantPostings]

Lovely, and that's great that it's back! Our redbud was here when we moved in almost 23 years ago. I don't know how long it had been here before that. It has a weird shape and it's angled, but it definitely adds personality. ;-)

[Pam/Digging]

What a lucky recovery!

[hb]

Best wishes for complete recovery for a beautiful tree. They've become quite popular around here lately, with good reason.