Shrubs - Ask Extension
I have 3 acres, 2 of them were planted in CRP this year. The acre has pine trees on it and there’s honeysuckle around the west and north sides with ...
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Shrubs #890271
Asked November 25, 2024, 11:57 AM EST
I have 3 acres, 2 of them were planted in CRP this year. The acre has pine trees on it and there’s honeysuckle around the west and north sides with a drainage ditch on the south side running east to west at an angle. I want to replace the aging honeysuckle on the west side next to the CRP, approximately 170’worth. I have access to either dogwood/red ozure, or service berry. Bare root. I read that dogwood should be planted 20 feet away from pine trees. But I can’t do that. I want to have sort of a hedge along the West side this year and eventually the north side as well. The North side will be quite shaded by the pine trees. Any ideas?
Steele County Minnesota
Expert Response
I did a search for the compatibility of dogwoods and pines and 6 reputable garden sites said they do well together and are often found growing together in nature. The 20 ft suggested is perhaps due to the width of a pine at maturity. Bare root and pine seedling will develop slowly so you probably have 15 to 20 years before the dogwood and pine compete for sun and water. I would intersperse the honeysuckle with dogwood and serviceberry or plant them in front of the honeysuckle and take out the honeysuckle when the dogwood and serviceberry have grown enough to provide a screen. The honeysuckle will also provide some shade for the seedlings as the bareroot shrubs grow. If we have another summer like the last couple of years they will do better with some shade.
