2024 May 7 New Moon Redbud Tree

 I have this vision of a beautiful Redbud tree at the end of the garden path. It fits perfectly into the forest edge we’re trying to recreate in the back yard. We have two ankle-high Pawpaws on either side of the path, then the Black Cherry with an Arborvitae backdrop farthest back. 

Last year, I asked for a Redbud on the Buy Nothing Lakewood Facebook group. Someone came through immediately and even delivered the lovely sapling in a bucket. It had been growing too close to their house, so they were happy to pull it out.

I immediately planted it in the spot. It had a great root system! However, within a week it had dropped every last leaf. I watched and waited, and watered, and waited. Eventually the tree grew some buds. It had made it!

Over the winter I gave the Redbud a little touch from time to time. I was excited to see it bloom out in the spring!

Spring turned the corner, the Forsythia bloomed, the neighborhood Magnolias bloomed. The Redbud did not bloom. I knew my friend neighbor Emily had a Redbud out front, so I consulted her tree multiple times to see signs of growth. I guess they bloom a bit later than I originally thought. Neither tree looked like much. 

Then, when the mature neighborhood Redbuds bloomed out, i consulted the Google. I guess it’s normal to not bloom the first year or two after replanting. I stopped by Emily’s and she showed me hers had little leaf buds. It looked healthy and alive. No flowers, but definite growth.

Checking the next day, there was nothing. I really really looked it over. Nothing. It’s a few weeks later now. Nothing. I have now accepted that the Redbud was a goner. At Aldi this afternoon among other trees, they had a Redbud with some leaf buds popping…so I bought it.

Here is the new and very alive Redbud tree. 

The new Redbud went into the ground today. It’s not the best moon time for transplanting. Today is the New Moon, it’s the perfect time to start seeds. If you want roots to grow, you do that at the full moon. I do believe in planting by the moon. 

To undo the problematic timing, I burned some dried White Sweetclover all around the new tree. No idea if that’s a real thing, but that’s what I did. I figure getting it into the ground ASAP is better than waiting. 

My offering of the White Sweet Clover. It would be great to get a good storm tonight too.