I recently ordered a 5-6 ft Merlot Redbud tree from an online retailer (1st time ordering online). It arrived aggressively pruned with about a half dozen single branch stubs protruding from the trunk and no leaves. I was shocked as I was not expecting the tree to be pruned like this. I am worried that if I plant it, nothing will emerge in the Spring and the retailer guarantee will be lost at that point. The instructions and all online research instruct to prune in Summer or Winter. I live in South Carolina, zone 8, so I wouldn't even expect the tree to be dormant at this point. I'm a little new to this - is this common, or should I ask for a refund?

Not that this helps, but our redbud isn't dormant yet. I'm also in zone 8.

I also received a Redbud that even less branching then that in the Fall and have to admit I was shocked how well it did the following Spring. It had even less branching then that one. It is a Forest Pansy, what kind did you get? Beautiful tree but the branches split so easy.

red bud trees can take a lot of abuse .... think yours will pull through

also think your tree was pruned like it is, to protect it from being damaged during shipment -

if I were to guess, the loss of leaves was caused from the stress of shipment ...but that's only temporary

to test if its still alive -
first look for new bud growth at the tips of stems and anywhere along a stem -
and second, every now and then -
take the back of your thumb or finger nail & just barely scrape a sliver of bark off the tree ... if brown or tan, that section is dead .... if green, that section is alive .... as long as its green you and the tree are good

once planted, and if weather permits - you should be seeing buds any-day now (warm temps will speed things up...cooler temps will bring it all to a halt)

do not expect flowering for at least 2 to 3 years

As a past nurseryman, I see a beautiful tree that is pruned perfect for great future growth. If the tree had large limbs, it would struggle to keep those alive with so few of roots. They kept it dormant to make it easier for the plant to establish it's self, grow roots, without spending energy on leaves. You have a great tree. Enjoy it. This last next part of advice you will find the hardest to accept, but trust me. If that plant was grown in clay. Meaning that is a clay ball and burlap tree, the best thing you can do is wash off all the clay. Trees have a hard time migrating into the native soil when they have been grown in clay. There is a reason they grew it in clay, but reason does not help you. You should dig the hole. Amend you soil no more than 30% new soil with great compost and plant it. Don't forget to stake it for 1-2 years. Mulch the area around it, but not let the mulch touch the tree. Do not let grass grow under it. Do not plant anything under it for at least 3 years. When you water it, put the hose on a slow drip for at least one hour, unless you are expecting rain. Expect it to leaf out late in the spring and leaf out slowly over a matter of weeks or longer to get full size leaves. This is just the nature of a redbud. Don't expect awesome blooms it's first year. It will happen. Each year a little more.
What ever happens, you are starting with a well pruned young tree.
I hope I did not confuse you.

ILikeGreenThings said:I recently ordered a 5-6 ft Merlot Redbud tree from an online retailer (1st time ordering online). It arrived aggressively pruned with about a half dozen single branch stubs protruding from the trunk and no leaves. I was shocked as I was not expecting the tree to be pruned like this. I am worried that if I plant it, nothing will emerge in the Spring and the retailer guarantee will be lost at that point. The instructions and all online research instruct to prune in Summer or Winter. I live in South Carolina, zone 8, so I wouldn't even expect the tree to be dormant at this point. I'm a little new to this - is this common, or should I ask for a refund?

unfortunately, it's very common to get a chopped up tree....
I would never prune a tree like that....
It's bad enough that the tree has to replace the roots that it lost in being dug...
Having to replace those lost limbs means additional stress on the poor tree!

But... When they cut the limbs off... They can get the tree in a smaller shipping box.

The red bud will probably live...
Next time, see if you can't find a tree farm... And try to get one that hasn't been chopped up... Or... Do like I do... Try allowing all the seedlings that come up in the lawn... Grow to a decent transplantable size... Of course... You might need to leave the lawn equipment in the shed...

stone said:
unfortunately, it's very common to get a chopped up tree....
I would never prune a tree like that....
It's bad enough that the tree has to replace the roots that it lost in being dug...
Having to replace those lost limbs means additional stress on the poor tree!

But... When they cut the limbs off... They can get the tree in a smaller shipping box.

The red bud will probably live...
Next time, see if you can't find a tree farm... And try to get one that hasn't been chopped up... Or... Do like I do... Try allowing all the seedlings that come up in the lawn... Grow to a decent transplantable size... Of course... You might need to leave the lawn equipment in the shed...

I did this with a redbud seedling in our backyard.

stone said:

But... When they cut the limbs off... They can get the tree in a smaller shipping box.

This is completely untrue. As a man that has worked in this field, they are pruned for their health. You are right when you say it's unfortunate the tree's roots had to be cut, but due to this fact they had to cut the limbs back to support the health of the tree. A tree with small roots can not support a full tree on top. The fact is redbuds take time to leaf out. Even more time when they have few roots. If the limbs not been pruned it would take until mid summer to get some nice, but lots of dead tree limbs as well. Then you have a tree that is not pruned well at all. I've made the mistake more than once not pruning back a red-bud tree after it has been dug. This tree will fill in great. It will be a beauty.

We should be celebrating the fact someone is about to plant a beautiful tree. Why rain on her parade for no reason. We should supporting her with facts based on knowledge. She is going to have a beautiful tree for years.

GardenGems said:
they are pruned for their health.

You are right when you say it's unfortunate the tree's roots had to be cut, but due to this fact they had to cut the limbs back to support the health of the tree.

Have you done any comparison planting?

When I dig trees... There is some loss of roots...

Some people suggest root pruning a year before digging... And while this makes sense.... I never have the foresight.

Lateral roots tend to get cut through, in spite of my best attempts to dig the entire system intact...

But... When the tops are chopped up as well as the root system.... The tree is going to try to replace the top.... As well as trying to replace the lost roots!

When we transplant in the autumn ( in the south), the tree is able to start replacing some of the lost root system through the winter....

But... Cutting the top out of the tree? Bad news!

stone said:

Have you done any comparison planting?

Yes. The answer is yes I have. Years working in the professional nursery industry.

I don't doubt your experience in the nursery business...
I have years planting experience as well.

While it is true that your advise re top pruning is something that was encouraged in the past...

The extension service has changed their advise about that... Just like they changed their advise re adding organic amendments to the planting hole.

Edit:

https://hgic.clemson.edu/facts...
Pruning at Planting
Little if any pruning should be necessary at the time of transplant. Do not prune a B&B plant to compensate for root loss. Research indicates that pruning does not help overcome transplant shock unless the plant is receiving insufficient water.