Зміст
Pine is a very popular conifer that we value because it is easy to grow, has few requirements and can be shaped into interesting shapes. Pine grows especially well in its natural habitat and in naturalistic gardens. An important procedure in the care of pine trees is pruning, which is best done in late May or early June. How should the pine be pruned to keep it under control and easy to shape?
Pine in the garden: what is worth knowing about it?
This is one of the most popular conifers in our country. Pine, as we speak of it, is a plant species that includes over 100 species of trees and shrubs. These long-lived plants can be up to 500–700 years old. On soft ground, they take on a bushy form, and in forests, they acquire a magnificent soaring growth and grow up to 35 meters. The species differ not only and habit, but in the color of long, narrow needles. The latter do not shed for the winter, but fall off after about 3–15 years, depending on the species. Most pines have thick and scaly bark, although in some species it is thin and flakes off in patches.
Although many species are included in the genus pine, only a few are grown in gardens as ornamental species. Pine trees are extremely easy to grow, have low requirements and are resistant to weather conditions, incl. drought, low temperatures or polluted air (except Scots pine).
What types of pine to choose for the garden?
If we want to plant a pine tree in the garden, it is worth thinking about which variety is suitable for this room. For small gardens, slow-growing and small-sized varieties are best suited. Bosnian Smidti pine, mountain pine varieties such as Mop, Lilliput or Humpy, Pierrick Bregeon black pine or Sea urchin pine are all suitable for this purpose. However, if we have more space in the garden, we can choose larger pine trees, which can be decorative solitaire. It can be the common pine “Aurea” or the Himalayan pine “Zebrina”, which has a beautiful silvery-gray color of the needles.
How to grow a pine tree in the garden?
The pine tree is not difficult to grow. You can plant in any substrate. One has only to make sure that the soil block is compact. Thanks to this, the pine root system will be protected, and the tree will take root better. Ideally, the soil should be light, well drained, and with an acidic pH. However, some pines also thrive in alkaline and barren soils.
The place for the pine should be sunny. Lack of sun makes the needles thinner and less colored. This tree can be planted in the ground in the spring, immediately after the soil has thawed. You can plant a pine tree in a pot at any time. If you want to plant a pine tree in the fall, it is best to do so in October, before the ground is frozen. Pine can be propagated by stratified seed or by grafting. In spring and summer, pine is planted flush with the ground or carefully underground, and in autumn at a depth of at least three centimeters. After planting, the tree should be watered vigorously. Because mature pines have a deep root system, they tolerate drought well. They are also resistant to pollution, so they can grow in the city.
Pine tree care
In order for the pine to grow well, it is worth mulching. After planting the plant, mulch it with a layer of bark for three months. You can also use sawdust or unripe compost for this purpose. Mulch can improve soil structure and release nutrients that will keep trees growing and healthy.
How and when to prune pine?
Pine pruning is also an important maintenance. It is worth noting that pine trees are pruned differently than other conifers. Pruning can help you get an interesting compact pine shape, keep it compact, or limit its size. Pine trees are best pruned at the turn of May and June, when young growths appear on the tree. Break them off, or cut them in half, or 1/3 their length, depending on how much you want to restrict the pine’s growth. The candles are quite soft, so they can be cut with both pruning shears and regular scissors.
If the pine grows too large, you can radically remove the lower branches from the base or shorten the tops a little. Only the buds at the tops of the shoots are capable of further development. However, it is better to prune short sections of the shoots regularly every year than to prune the branches once, because the tree can be easily disfigured. Pruning young shoots each spring limits the growth of the pines, stimulates the formation of new buds and side shoots, and creates more beautiful and dense tree growth.
