Love tree care: the best tips and tricks


The love tree is an arboreal species from southwestern, southeastern and western Asia. Its cultivation has spread to other parts of the world, such as Africa and North America. Its name comes from the Greek kerkis, because its sheath resembles a weaver’s shuttle. Many people have doubts about the love tree care.

For this reason, we are going to dedicate this article to telling you about the main care of the tree of love, its characteristics and properties.

Key features

Due to its beauty, it is often used as an ornamental tree in landscaping and horticultural projects. In addition, it is also known for its beautiful pink heart-shaped flowers.

In some countries it is also called the Judas Tree because it is believed that Judas Iscariot hung himself from one of the trees after betraying Jesus. However, it is believed that this is actually a breakdown of the term “Jewish tree”.

Cercis siliquastrum is a deciduous tree whose trunk has smooth bark that can become rough and cracked over time. Its height ranges between 5 and 10 metersbut can exceed 12 meters in the right conditions.

Its crown is irregular like branches. The leaves of the tree of love are simple and alternate, with a length of 7 cm to 12 cm. Its flowers appear in March and April, before the leaves develop. They are pink, heart-shaped and they are grouped in small clusters of 3 to 6 flowers. Likewise, the tree of love produces a reddish-brown ornamental legume that can grow up to 15 cm in length. Beans should be harvested when ripe to prevent insect damage.

When is the tree of love planted?

Love trees should be planted in spring when we are in warmer regions, as young plants are sensitive to frost. In cooler regions, it should be planted in the fall.

Experts recommend letting the seedlings grow in the greenhouse for the first winter. However, the younger the permanently planted tree, the more successfully it will develop.

Love trees do best in warm climates, where they receive 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day. Alternatively, in partial shade, direct sunlight for 2 to 6 hours. Again, it is recommended to plant it in a place that is not affected by strong winds, as the stems of the tree can break.

love tree care

Cercis siliquastrum is undemanding and will grow in almost any type of soil, especially calcareous or siliceous soils with a neutral pH and good drainage, as it does not support excessive humidity or puddles. However, if you want to be more successful in growing these types of trees, a substrate made up of clay, silt, and sand is recommended.

When they are young, love trees require constant but moderate watering. Watering should be reduced as it grows, since excess water or flooding can affect their development as they are very sensitive to humidity. On the other hand, while a Judean tree can tolerate drought, it is important to water the tree more frequently during the hot season so that it does not lose strength.

Moderate watering 1-2 times per week is recommended, depending on weather and soil moisture levels.

How to sow step by step

The germination process of the seeds of the tree of love is not simple, since the seeds are in a state of internal dormancy or physical dormancy, that is, they need to destroy the plant tissue belonging to the endosperm and impermeable seminal cover to obtain germination. fast and uniform.

One of the most common and effective methods involves the following steps:

  • Boil water in a container in a ratio of 1:10, 1 part seeds to 10 parts water, then turn off the heat.
  • Immediately pour the seeds into a container and let them soak for 12 to 24 hours.
  • drain the seeds and place them in a ventilated environment out of direct sunlight and plant immediately.

The seeds of the tree of love can germinate by other procedures, however, some require more specialized substances or procedures. These include:

  • mechanical scratches.
  • Mechanical scratches combined with cold delamination.
  • Scrape with concentrated sulfuric acid.

Advanced love tree care

Love trees are known for being low maintenance. However, pre-bloom fertilization and a good watering history are important steps in helping trees achieve maximum brightness.

It is recommended to plant them permanently when they are young, preferably in May, and water them continuously until they acclimate to their new location. Repotting should be avoided as love trees are poorly adapted, especially mature trees, and the quality of their growth.

Sweetheart trees are susceptible to coral spot fungi and grow in areas with cool, humid summers. Other diseases that affect this species are bark canker (Nectria cinnabarina) and blight caused by Verticillium dahliae. Among the pests, there may be effects of aphids and mealybugs.

When well cared for It has a life expectancy of about 100 years. It takes an average of 20 years to reach its maximum height, which is why it is considered an adult tree. When using seedlings purchased in a nursery, it begins to bear fruit at 3 years. If made from seed, it could take up to 5 years to achieve.

Can be grown in pots when young, but mature species are not recommended. The main reason is that it does not allow it to grow to its maximum capacity and provides flowering based on it. Again, keep in mind that it is a species that prefers rocky soil and will not be found in pots. It bears fruit once a year, just after the beginning of autumn, when the flowers that adorn the spring and summer begin to fall. It is advisable to carry out the pollination of the love tree that is carried out by pollinating insects attracted by its striking flowers.

I hope that with this information you can learn more about the care of the tree of love and its characteristics.


Love tree care: the best tips and tricks

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