Pruning mugo pines - Ask Extension
Good morning, is it advisable to prune down for shaping purposes? If yes, what is the appropriate time of the year to do so. Shrubs are several years ...
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Pruning mugo pines #862705
Asked March 28, 2024, 9:57 AM EDT
Good morning, is it advisable to prune down for shaping purposes? If yes, what is the appropriate time of the year to do so. Shrubs are several years old. Sunny location.
Oakland County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
Mugo pines (Pinus mugo) are evergreen shrubs that add beauty to landscapes. Proper pruning helps maintain their health and appearance. Here’s what you need to know about pruning mugo pines in Michigan:
Timing:
The best time to prune mugo pines is late winter or early spring. Pruning during this time aligns with the plant’s dormancy and prepares it for robust growth in the upcoming season. Avoid pruning in the fall, as pines do not produce new buds from old growth. Cutting branches out of season can hinder growth.
Pruning Goals:
Size Control: If you want to limit the tree’s height, prune to keep it small. Mugo pines can grow between 4 and 10 feet tall, so trimming helps maintain a reasonable size.
Shape: The ideal shape for mugo pines is smooth and rounded. Shape pruning corrects any holes in the canopy by selectively pruning candles where more growth is needed.
How to Prune:
Candles: Tender new growth on mugo pines, which appear as “candles” on branch tips. To control height, cut these candles in half during spring. This reduces the size of new growth for the season and thickens the canopy.
Shape Pruning: Identify areas where more growth is required to fill canopy holes. Skip pruning the candles in those areas to achieve the desired shape.
Remember, proper pruning enhances the health and aesthetics of your mugo pines.
Other references at the below links:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/pruning_pines
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=284978
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/pruning_evergreen_shrubs
https://extension.psu.edu/pruning-needled-evergreens
I hope this helps!
Mugo pines (Pinus mugo) are evergreen shrubs that add beauty to landscapes. Proper pruning helps maintain their health and appearance. Here’s what you need to know about pruning mugo pines in Michigan:
Timing:
The best time to prune mugo pines is late winter or early spring. Pruning during this time aligns with the plant’s dormancy and prepares it for robust growth in the upcoming season. Avoid pruning in the fall, as pines do not produce new buds from old growth. Cutting branches out of season can hinder growth.
Pruning Goals:
Size Control: If you want to limit the tree’s height, prune to keep it small. Mugo pines can grow between 4 and 10 feet tall, so trimming helps maintain a reasonable size.
Shape: The ideal shape for mugo pines is smooth and rounded. Shape pruning corrects any holes in the canopy by selectively pruning candles where more growth is needed.
How to Prune:
Candles: Tender new growth on mugo pines, which appear as “candles” on branch tips. To control height, cut these candles in half during spring. This reduces the size of new growth for the season and thickens the canopy.
Shape Pruning: Identify areas where more growth is required to fill canopy holes. Skip pruning the candles in those areas to achieve the desired shape.
Remember, proper pruning enhances the health and aesthetics of your mugo pines.
Other references at the below links:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/pruning_pines
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=284978
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/pruning_evergreen_shrubs
https://extension.psu.edu/pruning-needled-evergreens
I hope this helps!
