Help with Pruning Pine - Japanese rock garden!
Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2015 12:54 pm
Hi, I was wondering if someone would be able to explain to me the basic techniques of pruning this pine tree. We bought it last year during the fall and planted it, it seems to have latched on and is already growing. Its winter now in Utah and we want to start preparing our trees to build out the rest of our rock garden.
I have a few questions.
Some small tree branches are extending out past the "pads" and we need to cut them back to keep the tight shape. I have heard the term clouds or pads used. I have also heard that just cutting back the branch could kill the entire branch??
This spring we will cut back the candles about 3/4 the way or maybe half.
What I don't understand is how do you maintain these pines where it looks like a clean tight hair cut, and not messy with overgrowth distorting the shape of the pads?
Please see picture here
I have a few questions.
Some small tree branches are extending out past the "pads" and we need to cut them back to keep the tight shape. I have heard the term clouds or pads used. I have also heard that just cutting back the branch could kill the entire branch??
This spring we will cut back the candles about 3/4 the way or maybe half.
What I don't understand is how do you maintain these pines where it looks like a clean tight hair cut, and not messy with overgrowth distorting the shape of the pads?
Please see picture here