Blk Pine Tips Please...

Allicor

Hello all,

Couple of quick questions. Alas, fall is here and this is the first fall in which I have had these Blk Pines. First, I live in central Tx. and the average temp at this time is highs in the mid 60's, low in the 50's, it will begin to get cooler soon. All of the pines are healthy and doing well. THey have but on much new growth in the last 2 months.

Question is: What exactly should I be doing this time of year surrounding pruning and such. I have read many articles linked from the FAQ section and although I believe I understand, I would like some verification. Should I be cutting back the candles that have been pushed forth thus far? I have pulled off the old needles surrounding the new growth. It appears tha I did well with pruning earlier in the summer as there has been quite a bit of new growth in desirable places, including new buds on the trunk.

Overall structure on the main tree is in order and I now desire to 'fill' out the branches and begin the reduction process of the needles.

Hope I am clear enough and I would appreciate any thoughts, I will try and link a pic tommorrow.

Thanks in advance,

Bobby

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TreeBay

I don't know where you are, so I can't give you very specific advice. Pine care is very dependent on the season.

In general, you want to style with the fall candles and remove the spring candles in late summer. Spring growth is usually to vigorous to use effectively for styling.

In the fall, two- (and three- if they still remain) year-old needles will be yellowing and getting ready to fall. They can be removed. You can also get a head start by thinning out the old needles and some of the new ones at the top of the tree and around exterior branches.

If it is spring, wherever you are, you want to do some bud selection and eliminate all but two buds on the upper and outer terminals. Choose the weaker buds in those areas. In the inner and lower areas, you can thin to the two strongest buds (if you have two!)

Regards,

Matt

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Allicor

Thanks for the suggestions Matt,

A question from your posts, can you please define what you mean by 'weak' buds and 'strong' buds? Also, I live in Austin, Tx, so the highs now are in the upper 50's to lower 60's and the lows may be get to the upper 40's, nothing to extreme.

Thanks again.

Bobby

TreeBay

Okay, so I know you're in the Northern Hemisphere at least, that helps (you can update your USERCP using the tab above) and no one else will need to ask.

Weak buds and strong buds are identified by their relative size on the pine. On pines and many other trees, buds that form on the interior and lower branches are weak, and those that grow on the exterior and especially upper branches near the apex, are strong. Red marks the areas that are typically strong. Note that even the terminals of the lowest branches can be strong.



You can find more on this topic on the TreeBay site under
Articles->Pine Decandling.

Regards,

Matt

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