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Post by gb98 on Oct 1, 2021 8:55:03 GMT -5
I have a young white pine tree - about 6 feet tall which I planted 3 years ago. This summer, for some reason, the newest growth on the central leader died back - I have seen this happen on quite a few other white pines as well. The issue now is it is sending multiple leaders now. I want to restore it to a single trunk tree, but not sure whether I should just partially prune back the others, or prune back the other leaders to the original trunk. Any ideas on the better way to do this? Thank you all in advance! Attached are photos:    |
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Post by desertwoman on Oct 1, 2021 9:12:06 GMT -5
I'm trying to attach photos of the tree, but can't seem to make that work. I find using the button "Add image to post" in the Reply box to be very easy. Click on it and then simply drag your photo from your computer/device and then click the green 'Upload' It will show up as a bunch of code (letters and numbers) in the Quick Reply or you can see the photo if you click on the blue Reply button |
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Post by gb98 on Oct 1, 2021 12:15:16 GMT -5
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Post by Wheelgarden on Oct 1, 2021 14:26:39 GMT -5
gb98 , I have a white pine that did that 25 years ago when it was about 3 years old. Fixed it by selecting the tallest remaining leader, and cutting the tips of other leaders back. The selected leader should straighten right up as the tree grows. With multiple trunks, choose the best, strongest trunk with a growth tip and lop off the others, you can get away with that when they're young. It's now straight, tall, and beautifully formed.
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Post by binnylou on Oct 1, 2021 16:11:53 GMT -5
Wheelgarden, there’s a lot of satisfaction in grooming a young tree so that it becomes tall, straight, and strong against the winds. I did this to our young Colorado Blue that suffered deer damage. In just a year, it’s looking better. It will look just fine all dressed in Christmas lights…with a protective wire cage around it.
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Post by gb98 on Oct 2, 2021 7:20:05 GMT -5
Wheelgarden , binnylou , thank you for the replies! Nice to know I should be able to restore the apical dominance. My next question is do you think it's OK to do this now or should I wait until late winter/early spring? I have a sugar maple that was developing co-dominant trunks and I just lopped back one of them now as late winter/early spring pruning on maples and birches makes them bleed. Conifers are a totally different story.
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Post by Wheelgarden on Oct 5, 2021 20:27:04 GMT -5
gb98 , I pruned my young pine in early spring at the first sign of candling (blooming). Your mileage may vary in Massachusetts, but it worked for me. You can do it late winter as well. Fall or Winter is best for maples.
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Post by gb98 on Oct 6, 2021 6:46:44 GMT -5
Thanks Wheelgarden ! I just pruned my maples and birches since they are bleeders. I generally prune fruit trees in late winter/early spring which I presume is the best time for most trees that aren't bleeders. I know that oaks should never be pruned during the growing season because of insects bringing pathogens into the wounds. |
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