Hi fledgeling! Thank you for the additional information. IÂm having second thoughts about CS performing as a shade tree after taking a hike in the Morton Arboretum in NE IL. I found a few of the plantings of CS there and the most mature tree I saw still looks like a straggly bush, NOT any kind of shade tree. If I interpreted the tag information correctly (565  39 *1 SD), that specimen was planted as a seed 68 years ago! I hope to go back again this summer and find the other specimens. If it turns out that CS does not look promising as a small shade tree, I will move it to a border area in my shade garden where it can be a lovely bush, perhaps eventually transitioning to a recognizable "tree" or not as it prefers. While at the arboretum, I was enchanted by the American Hornbeam plantings that I found in the same area as one of the CS trees. The group planting of AH was elegantly graceful  the branches had been allowed to develop in a semi-weeping habit, nearly to the ground. I guess IÂm still looking:/ Regards, PoseyPlanter

I live in the north shore of Massachusetts. I installed a Cercis Canadensis - Rising Sun Redbud last October - a 5 gallon container tree in a full sun area of my front yard - where there is decent drainage. Made it through the winter with no problems, and the tight lavender buds popped in April . The bark and branching is a light grey and it all appears to be healthy - all branches are still pliable. The tiny lime colored leaves that appeared after budding have now morphed into larger, darker leaves. Watering has been a consistent once / wk process, but we did have some pretty intense rainfall about a month ago. I began noticing slight drooping and wilting of the leaves right before the heavy rains we received. Since then, it has been dry and warm, and the leaves have gotten more wilted and curled. At the recommendation of one of our nursery managers, I tried soaking the root area. There has been no improvement, and the smaller leaves are now drying up. No spotting on the leaves or signs of leaf decay, and no insect issues.. If it weren't for the drooping and wilting of leaves, they'd look completely healthy. In other words, the color and structure of the leaves are fine. The Rising Sun Redbud is a relatively new cultivar, so not much to go on re. diseases, insect issues and tree care solutions... My first inclination was that the tree might be suffering from root rot or a root fungus - based on the wilting and curling of leaves. I checked the soil around the root ball, which is cool and moist, but not wet, and there is none of the distinct smell you commonly get with root rot... When soaking the root area, the water pooled then drained fairly quickly. If anyone has any information on the Rising Sun, this particular issue, and a possible solution please pass along.. Many thanks!

I manipulate growth pattern all the time w/plumeria and brugmansias. If you don't, you may have ugly trees that don't usually "fix" themselves. You remove the stakes eventually, it's not meant to be there forever. Yes I've had a few instances In which it was questionable whether I helped tree but few and far between. Deciduous magnolias, jap maples, redbuds benefitted from my helping along w/ a stake and or splints.

It should certainly have flowers by now I think. Leaves have not emerged on mine yet but should within days I think... ken - ‘bulletproof’ would not be a good description around here - they have an unfortunate tendency to die in winter! Also, they have a tendency to fall over. In March we finally decided to have the leaning side of one pruned off- it had been propped up by a 2x6 for several years. Our redbuds are white-flowered ones. I do love them but they are a bit of a PITA at times :-)