Oklahoma Redbud for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by John Haryasz | Horticulture Writer and Landscape Designer – last update on July 19, 2022

Planting and Care

Planting instructions

As is true for most redbud varieties, the Oklahoma redbud is not picky when it comes to choosing a growing location. These trees will adapt well to both full sunlight and partial shade. They can also survive in both acidic and alkaline soils and can live in a wide range of soil types, including clay, sand, and loam. To plant an Oklahoma redbud, begin by digging a hole that is as deep as the root ball is tall and significantly wider than the root ball. Backfill while watering, and finish the process with a healthy layer of organic mulch.

Watering and nutrients

Water your Oklahoma redbud tree about once or twice per week during the first few weeks of establishment. For the rest of the first growing season, water about once per week. After establishment, water needs will be low. You’ll likely need to provide a deep watering only during periods of prolonged drought. Fertilization needs for this tree are also low. You’ll need to fertilize just once in early spring with a balanced fertilizer or an organic amendment, like compost or manure.

Pollination

The Oklahoma redbud tree is a self-pollinating species, which means that a single tree holds both male and female reproductive organs. During the early spring, these plants bloom with copious amounts of flowers, each of which holds nectar for pollinators. Insects, including bees, will arrive at this tree to feed on the nectar and are responsible for moving pollen from one part of the tree to another. Typically, pollination occurs easily but is not a specific goal when growing this plant.

Pruning

The ideal time to prune an Oklahoma redbud tree is during the spring, after the flowers have bloomed and just before the leaves arrive. Often, Oklahoma redbuds will grow into an attractive rounded form without pruning. However, pruning can be beneficial to thin the canopy to allow for better air circulation. As always, your pruning goals should include removing dead, damaged, and diseased parts of the tree. When pruning, be sure to use sterile pruning tools to limit the chances of spreading diseases.

Pests, diseases, and animals

The Oklahoma redbud tree does not experience a lot of problems related to diseases, but infections are possible. When an infection does occur, a specific fungus, known as Botryosphaeria, is likely the cause. When this fungus arrives, it will manifest itself via cankers and dieback. Pest infestations can also arise for the Oklahoma redbud and are often more common than disease-related problems. Some of the most common insects to afflict this tree include caterpillars, weevils, scale insects, and treehoppers.

Achieving maximum results

Compared to other popular redbud tree varieties, including the eastern redbud, the Oklahoma redbud is a bit less cold-hardy — it does not survive in regions colder than zone 6. Oklahoma redbuds also tend to develop deep root systems that make it difficult to transplant this cultivar when it is at a mature age. On the plus side, the Oklahoma redbud can be a relatively compact tree, which allows it to fit easily into many planting locations.

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