I suppose the demise of the variegated mutation of ‘Rising Sun’ redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Rising Sun’) was predictable, despite my unwillingness to accept the inevitable. For nearly a decade, the redbud outlived the hundreds of neighboring ‘Rising Sun ‘ in a North Carolina nursery that perished due to VSD (Vascular Streak Dieback) that afflicted nursery grown trees but is little threat to established redbuds in gardens.

‘Rising Sun’ seemed particularly vulnerable to the problem, but somehow this redbud survived with few obvious symptoms. The crack in the trunk that appeared two years ago was the first concern. Then, several smaller branches died, though this can be due to excessive shading on the side of the redbud that is overhung by a large cherry and sourwood.

Today, one large branch remains in leaf with exceptionally large leaves resulting from stored energy and fewer live branches. But, the end is near. There’s no hope that removing the dead branches could revive this prized redbud.

Not to dwell on the dead and dying, but the Bigleaf magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla) that blew over in a storm a year ago refuses to die. The stump and a ten foot section of the fallen trunk have been planted as a stumpery, but the magnolia has sprouted several branches with the typical thirty inch leaves tip to tip.

A small section of roots continues to contact the soil, but I suspect the vigorous growth will end when the stored energy runs low. I’ll watch with interest to see if the leaves survive the summer. I expect they will not.