White Pine ... To Candle Or Not?

Rafael

Hi,

Long time listener first time caller... love the show!

I purchased this white pine from ebay and its candles have grown to about 1.5 in the last two weeks. Should I candle now or wait until later in the summer? I would like to keep the tree small. I'm in northern NJ (zone 6?). Any input much appreciated.

-R

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whitepine_front.jpg (68.8 KB, 136 views)

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Rafael

here's a top view

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whitepine_top.jpg (72.5 KB, 118 views)

Rafael

here's a close up of some of the candles... also, how do you pinch a candle? Pull and twist? where?
thnx!

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whitepine_candle.jpg (67.8 KB, 116 views)

TreeBay

You really shouldn't decandle Japanese White Pine. Instead you pinch back the developing candles before they get out nearly this far. Pinch the longer ones more.

So a few weeks ago would have been the ideal time.

At this point you might cut back to the one or two strongest candles on the weakest branches and the weakest candles on the strongest. That will keep the growth in balance. I would not try candle pruning at this late time because you haven't had the tree long.

You also might want to remove the Scotch Moss around the base of the tree. It's a fairly invasive weed.

Regards,

Matt

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