Q: I have been cleaning up my flower beds, and I noticed that there are dozens of small trees sprouting up everywhere. I think they are redbud trees from the neighbor’s tree. They range from a couple of inches to a couple of feet tall. I am thinking of digging up as many as I can and using some for bonsai and some to give away or sell at a neighborhood plant sale in the spring. Do you think this is worth the effort? How should I store them for the winter? Should I just wait until spring?
A: I think it is a great idea. Here is what I would consider. First, make sure they really are a valuable tree and not just a weed. There are many plants in both categories. There are not many special varieties of redbud trees. For instance, if they are crabapple trees that are grown for specific flower colors, then it may not be worth the effort because the seedlings may not have the same color as the mother tree. So, be sure they are redbuds.
