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Originally Posted by DonnaCosta
Can I ask you what exactly you mean by cutting the candles. I'm not sure what people mean when they say candle, or this years growth from last years growth. Thanks again.
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Donna,
'Nut has given you good advice. Stop for now. Pines need to recover after being root pruned, and it was a little early for that anyway. Now it needs time to recuperate. No fertilizer, just keep some moisture in the soil (not water-logged).
An old saying for pines: Only work on the bottom OR the top in one year, not both.
Candles are the extensions from the tree's branches. These will grow almost vertical from the bunches of needles at terminal ends of branches/twigs. Most people suggest removing 1/3 to 1/2 of these candles ever other year, some more often than that. Complete removal is also possible. If you do not perform this reduction, the branches become leggy and less apt to bud-back. You end up with long branches with foliage only near the ends. The opening of these candles produces new needles. The "sheen" of the candle is a known identifier of the time when certain activities can be performed on the tree, safely.
Pines require some specific study. I suggest you just let this specific pine grow this year and use the time to study on them. Next year you will be better prepared to style it.
Just my opinion. Good luck,
John