Pines can reach considerable heights. Once you have grown into a sturdy tree, shortening it makes little sense. A shaping pruning is still recommended. It's completely different if you keep your pine trees as a bonsai. Find out more about the individual shortening techniques below.
How to shorten a pine tree correctly?
To properly shorten a pine tree, you should remove disturbing branches in early spring to provide light to plants on the ground or to protect buildings. For pine bonsai, cut back the young shoots (candles) in late spring or early summer to inhibit growth.
The right time
Unlike deciduous trees, you can also prune a pine tree in the fall. Because they produce more resin, conifers react less sensitively to cuts and therefore regenerate better. Early spring is still recommended, as the pine tree is then no longer in the resting phase of growth.
Thinning out pine trees
Unlike many plant genera, pines do not produce new shoots after pruning. If you cut off large branches, the shape of the tree will remain the same. However, in some cases it is worth removing disturbing branches for the following reasons:
Purpose of thinning
- Give light to plants on the ground
- Protection from falling branches in strong winds
- Topiary
- Protecting buildings when the pine tree grows too sprawling
Pruning pine trees
An alternative to shortening the jaws is so-called pruning. In doing so, remove the branches on the sides of the trunk. Subsequently, your jaw will produce an unusual amount of resin to protect the interfaces. Especially those trees that are in the shade create a rather unsightly picture. Simply green your pine tree with a vine such as ivy or a climbing rose to hide the unsightly spots.
Growing a pine tree as a bonsai
Pruning out a pine tree is also recommended if you want to keep the conifer as a bonsai. This is where shortening can really stunt growth. To maintain a beautiful shape, cut back the so-called candles (the young shoots) in late spring or early summer.
