Redbuds at 321 S. Elm are North Platte’s Tree of the Spring, the city tree board announced May 3.  

The trees are owned by Joe and Jeanna Koubek of K-Road Rentals. They were officially designated at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6.

Redbuds are a true native pollinator and one of the first trees to bloom each spring, said Lena Hughes of the North Platte Tree Board

Known as the harbinger of spring, the Eastern Redbud’s delicate blossoms and buds are one of the season’s most dramatic displays. Unique and irregular branching patterns combine with a trunk that commonly divides close to the ground to create a handsome, spreading and often flat-topped crown.

The trees bloom profusely with rosy pink flowers in April. The are native to the U.S eastern woodlands. 

The heart-shaped leaves emerge in a reddish color, turning dark green as summer approaches and yellow in the fall.

They are easy to maintain. Pruning is usually not required except to remove dead wood or problem branches.

In starting a redbud tree, water it deeply for the first few years, especially during droughts. Most new trees need about 15 gallons a week.

It’s better to water deeply and infrequently than give it a daily squirt because that encourages roots to stay near the surface.

It’s also a good idea to add a two- to three-inch deep layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and keep down weeds. However, you’ll need to pull the mulch away from the tree trunk and spread it so it looks more like a donut, rather than a volcano. “Volcano mulching,” or mulch placed right up against the trunk, encourages decay and could invite pests and disease.

Redbud trees will flower best when planted in the full sun. At the same time, they can thrive in partial shade in hotter climates to protect the plant from intense afternoon sun, which can cause its leaves to shrivel up.

A redbud tree keeps its shapely form naturally and can extract nitrogen from the air and store it in its root system, eliminating the need for fertilization. It’s fine to trim off any broken or crossing branches. Otherwise, all you have to do is enjoy the beautiful springtime blooms.

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