Q.Western Red Bud
The over abundant now faded red pods on my year old Western Red Buds refuse to drop off. Since I presume they are using up valuable nutrients can I remove them? I have the same amount of branches as when they were first planted and would like to see more fullness from these trees.
Any suggestions
Trees require energy to sever the connection with leaves or other parts such as seed pods in fall/winter. When they are stressed, they are not able to drop leaves, etc. as they normally would.
The stressful period could have been late last summer to fall, or the tree could be in a general decline. There is no silver bullet for a stressed tree. Don't worry about removing the seed pods. Take steps to keep your tree as healthy as possible.
- Water during dry periods or droughts. Water deeply when you water. Do not drown it by keeping the water soggy all the time.
- Do not fertilize. Fertilizer is not medicine.
- Mulch a wide circle around the tree if possible. Do not ever pile mulch on the trunk. Keep mulch back a few inches. Also, keep mulch no deeper than 2-3".
Mulch helps keep the soil moist, keeps mowers away from the bark so it doesn't get damaged, and it also keep mowers from compacting soil over the root area of the tree.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/redbud/caring-for-redbud-trees.htm
