Vonsgardens

Actually, the only time I cut needles for growth purposes is the year a tree has been dug from the field or when I am trying to stimulate some back budding on container black pines that have really dense branches and long needles. I do that in early spring.

Once a Japanese Black Pine has entered more advanced training, that would include needle reduction, we only pull the needles. Two at a time using good straight tweezers (Masakuni 8812's (stainless) or 812's (black) (these could be 11's not 12's)). Black pines growing wel have so many buds that you will usually be reducing buds. If you want more buds give them more fertilizer.

Part of needle removal is to reduce the food supply to the developing buds to somewhat restrict their growth giving shorter needles and (most people forget this) shorter internodes.

Hope this helps,
John

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