Any chance you can post a picture? I can't really tell what's going on with your tree from your description. I'm thinking maybe it has a double-leader trunk? ...or maybe the trunk has a mechanical-damage wound? ...or is it something else?

A photo may indicate something else, but redbuds - particularly when the stressed by drought or other factors - are very prone to botryosphaeria canker. Usually this first appears on branches rather than the trunk, but if the trunk has been physically damaged in some way the fungus has a point of entry there. There's no effective treatment once the infection has set in. On the other hand, redbuds can live a good long time with the canker if they are kept in good health otherwise.

why in a pot....

and why are you growing an eastern.. when you are clearly western???

ken

Hi,
I don't have a camera that I can load a picture.
I bought the Eastern Redbud because it was available.
I grow it in a container because I rent.
I grow a lot of perennials and some shrubs and other things that are in containers so thought I would try some trees.
I don't have trees and I miss having them
I will look up canker to see if that is what it looks like.
Thank you

Any chance a relative, friend, or neighbor could help you with a picture?

man i feel for you gardening renter peeps ....

i would simply rule out canker.. new stock.. really shouldnt be that diseased ....

but w/o anything to go on .... other than the word SPLIT.... i got nothing...

==>>> first house.. dad bought one ... bargain..

and we cut it to the ground.. 4 years running.. because it refused to cooperate ... it did not die.. and eventually.. it began to understand our training methods.. lol ...

if the split is bad.. cut it off just below such .. and retrain a new leader ...

growing trees in pots.. is EXTREMELY hard.... if i were you.. i would not waste too much money .... and love.. on trees in pots.. make a list for the future.. and grow easier stuff in pots ...

good luck

ken