You're asking how hard to grow a redbud tree, and the short answer is: not hard at all. This tree is great for beginners. You just need to get a few things right at planting time and the tree does the rest on its own.
When I first planted a small 5-gallon container redbud in my front yard six years ago, it took off with almost no help. I watered it through the first two summers and left it alone after that. The tree bloomed by year three and now stands about 15 feet tall with a full canopy. My second try went the other way. I tried to move a bigger redbud from a friend's yard and it struggled for two seasons before it gave up. The taproot damage was too much for the tree to bounce back from.
That taproot is the key factor behind the redbud tree growing difficulty. UW-Madison Extension says redbuds grow a deep taproot early in life. This root gives your tree drought strength, but it also means the tree hates being moved once it settles in. Small nursery trees with intact roots do much better than big transplants. Always buy the smallest healthy tree you can find. A 3 to 5 gallon pot tree will pass a larger balled specimen within a couple of years in your yard.
Your growing needs are simple. USFS data shows redbuds handle almost any site that isn't too wet, too dry, or too acidic. You want a soil pH of 6.0 to 8.0 and good drainage. Full sun gives you the most blooms. Partial shade works too if you don't mind fewer flowers. The redbud tree growing difficulty falls well below fussy trees like Japanese maples or dogwoods. Your redbud won't punish you for small mistakes.
Here's your redbud tree beginner guide in three steps. First, pick a spot with well-drained soil and at least four hours of direct sun. Second, dig the hole twice as wide as the root ball but not deeper. Planting too deep buries the root flare and causes slow decline. Third, water deep once a week for the first two growing seasons. Soak the root zone instead of sprinkling the surface so the moisture reaches that growing taproot below.
After those first two years, your redbud needs almost nothing from you. The tree handles drought on its own once the taproot hits deep water. Prune once a year right after the flowers fade to shape the canopy and remove crossing branches. Skip the fertilizer unless a soil test shows you need it. Your redbud in decent soil won't need extra feeding at all.
Your redbud earns its easy-tree reputation fair and square. You put in minimal work and get maximum spring beauty in return. Get the site right, water for two years, and then stand back. You'll wonder why you didn't plant one sooner.
Read the full article: Redbud Tree: Complete Growing Guide
