Pine Dwarf Types – Pruning, Winter Care and Fertilizing

This evergreen normally are not pruned, but rather “pinched” in mid spring to control their size. 1/3 to 2/3 of the new growth can be pinched off as the candle (new growth) expands. This is done to the terminal shoots of the plant when the candles are about ½ developed.

Young shrubs respond very well to fertilizing. Either granular, liquid or stake type fertilizers can be used. Granular fertilizers can be worked into the soil around the plant at a rate of 2 lbs or 2 pints per 100 square feet of planting bed. An alternative way to apply granular fertilizers starts with drilling or punching 6” deep holes at the drip line of the tree. Poured into these holes should be a total of 2 pounds of fertilizer per 1″ of trunk diameter (divided up and poured evenly between all of the holes). These holes should not be filled with more than 1/3 of the fertilizer and then they should be top filled with soil. This method of fertilization should only be done once a year, and is best done in late fall, or in early spring before bud break. Multi Purpose 10-10-10 Fertilizer works well.

Liquid fertilizers (such as Miracle Gro) are mixed with water and applied the same as you would water the plant (see product for specific details). This should be done three or four times per year starting in late April and ending in mid July. Stake type fertilizers can be used following the directions on the package. With any of the above techniques, a balanced mixture should be used; 20-20-20 or similar mix is a good choices. Organic fertilizers, like manure, can also be used with good results. The material should be worked into open soil at a rate of one bushel per 6’ of shrub or 100 square feet of bed area. As a plant matures, less fertilizing will be needed.

These dwarf pine, especially the mugho and scott’s need very little winter care, but should be checked now and then for snow damage. Branches heavily laden with snow should carefully cleared off. After a dry fall season, a good watering in early November will also benefit the plant.

The dwarf white pine will perform well through the winter most years, and in hard winter may discolor, but will spring back in Spring. However the first few years or if they have been under stress they will benefit from some winter protection. The plant can be sprayed with an anti-transpirant in mid to late November. The timing is somewhat tricky. The temperature must be above 40 deg. and it can not rain on the plant and be above 40 deg. If the plant is in open soil it should be mulched and it should get a good late October watering if the soil is dry. Watering in late fall is very important for the winter health of any evergreen and should be done when the plant is young and even at an older age in a dry Fall season.