Should I Cut The Dead Trunk Of A Flamethrower Redbud If The Bottom Branches Are Growing Well?

Question

I have a flamethrower redbud that was planted 2 seasons ago (About 5 ft tall). The first season had some very strong winds and the tree came back the second season but not nearly as strong. This season the top 3 feet did not come back at all but the bottom 2 feet had many small branches, some flower blooms, and some gorgeous looking leaves. Should I remove the dead top portion and if so should I do it now in the spring or wait until next winter when it is dormant?

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Answer 1

You always can prune out dead or diseased wood when you see it. Prune it down to healthy wood. You can check to see if the branches are alive by scraping away some bark. If it is green beneath, the tree is still alive. If this tree is grafted (there will be a knob near the base of the tree), and the portion above the graft died, and the bottom branches are growing from below the graft, it means the rootstalk is growing. In that case it will not be a desirable tree and should be removed.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/redbud/caring-for-redbud-trees.htm