Fall training

Fall Care
of Japanese Black Pine

Balance: As a pine tree ages, interior and low branches die off from lack of light and energy. Removing needles can reveal the graceful limbs and trunk of the tree and allow light and air to penetrate to the center of the tree and lower branches. Although this may remove up to 75% of food-

So many needles, so little time!

producing leaf surface, light is able to reach 100% of the remaining foliage, providing even food production and energy throughout the tree. As a result, the tree is able to maintain interior and lower branch health.

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(continued) The strongest parts of a pine are usually the top-most sections that receive the most light.  By removing more foliage from these sections and leaving more healthy foliage in areas where more energy is desired, you can direct growth energy where it is needed most.

When- Remove old pine needles in fall, when days and nights start getting cooler. In southern Texas, we start in mid November. Spreading tarps on the ground below and over other plants makes cleanup very easy.  Begin at the top of the tree and work down, removing fallen needles as you go.

Prune broken, rubbing or damaged branches as you work. Remove all pinecones as well. Grab all the needles and pull back using the thumbs to "rub" them off at the branch.

Where- On a mature tree in areas of strong growth, leave 12 or 13 pairs of needles on each shoot. Areas of medium strength or areas where you wish to channel more energy can keep most or all of this years needles.  Weaker areas and areas needing the most energy may need to keep all healthy needles. 

On smaller or stressed trees, leave all the current year’s needles in strong areas. Leave last years healthy needles as well on weaker growth areas. Do not disturb the small buds along and in the old needles as these will be valuable in next years development.

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Cleaning Up- After "needling" the entire tree, the shape of branches and trunk can be more easily seen. Remove upward growing shoots except those needed for your training strategy, and leave side and down facing shoots. Whenever there is an upper branch shading a lower branch, one must be removed or redirected so that the other will not be shaded out.

Branch Selection: The results of the Spring "candling" should be evident the following Fall. As the weather cools, it is time to select the new branching that will produce next year's growth. Consider carefully the ultimate shape and size you have decided on before removing any branching. Remember that upper branches may eventually shade out branching directly below.

If side branching is desired, choose these shoots first. Then select what will become the terminals that produce candles in the spring. Look for right angles between branches of similar length. Select two for lateral and horizontal branching, and select three for apex and crown growth. Remember that the branching should become shorter closer to the ends of the branches and top of the tree.

For tips on spring maintenance, go to Pine Care - Spring Training

From "Japanese-style Pines", Don Pylant, October 19, 2001. All rights reserved. May be reproduced by permission. Contact japanesegardening.org.