What is an evergreen? Trimming Pine Trees

Most evergreen trees fall under the title of conifers, or cone bearing trees. Their needles, or leaves, vary in length from less than an inch to several inches long. Although most evergreens shed needles, they do not loose them all at the same time.

Generally speaking, conifers do not need much pruning for training purposes, like fruit trees or other decorative trees. Evergreens usually have a lead branch that extends from the trunk to the top of the tree, with other branches stemming from the lead. In the event that you have a young tree with two lead branches prune out the second lead while the tree is as young as possible to allow the tree to form correctly. In more mature trees pruning out a large secondary lead will do more harm aesthetically than good.

There are two main types of conifers, the whorled and the random branching. The whorled branch tree has branches in tiered groups that ring the tree. These include pines, spruces and firs. The second type is the random branching tree, yew, cedar and juniper to name a few, they grow in what you might consider the more traditional fuller Christmas tree shape.

Do I need to prune my evergreen?

Pruning Evergreens
Evergreens usually only need pruning if the tree has dead or dying branches or if the tree is diseased or infected.
You need to trim dead or dying branches as soon as you detect a problem. Prune them back to the first section of healthy wood.
For diseased or infected trees it is important to trim the affected areas all the way back to the trunk. Be sure to disinfect your tools between every cut, so you don't spread any infection. Do not use house hold products that contain bleach. Try "Lysol" or rubbing alcohol.

How do I prune my evergreen?

When trimming back evergreens be sure to cut only in the areas of the branch that have needles. If you remove all the needles from the branch that branch will become dormant and then die.

When removing a limb from the tree, don't cut flush with the trunk this can cause several problems that will affect the entire tree. There is an enlarged knob where the limb and trunk meet, this is called the collar, prune the branch where it meets the collar. Whether trimming back a live branch or removing a dead one, be sure not to cut past the collar. Leaving the collar on the trunk will prevent decay and promote a healthy tree.

CUTTING TIP: When cutting a large or heavy branch, use the three cut method.
1) At 12 inches from the trunk, cutting from the bottom up, cut half way through the branch.
2) About an inch past the first cut, towards the tip of the branch, trim the branch completely.
3) Make the final cut just above the collar.

Cutting the branch in this manner will help keep the weight of the tree from ripping the limb from the tree and causing damage.

Should I coat the finished pruning cuts?

NO! Only use some kind of coating when controlling certain problematic insects. (Check with your local college agriculture department or with the local forest service station fore more information on disease carrying insect, blights or diseases in your are)

NOTE: If you desire a thicker fuller tree, especially on pines and other similar trees, pinch the new growth in half using your fingers to avoid damaging the surrounding needles.

When is the best time to prune? Best Time to Prune?

It is easier to tell you when not to prune. Don't prune in late summer or early fall. This will promote growth and the young branches will not mature enough to survive the cold winter.

Most other pruning that will occur on an evergreen is decorative or aesthetic. If you are trying to control the over all height of the tree, prune in the summer, if you are trying to promote growth prune in the spring, if you are pruning due to damage or disease then prune immediately no matter the time of year. Winter pruning, while the tree is dormant, is desirable when you want to promote beautiful spring growth.

REMEMBER:

• Evergreens do not need to be pruned unless there is a physical problem with the tree due to damage, death, decay or disease.
• Prune evergreens to keep them healthy and beautiful.
• Less is more when pruning an evergreen. You can always take a little more off later. If you take too much off now then you may damage the branch or the entire tree.
• Consult your local nursery, college or the Forest Service for great local tips and information.
• Be sure to keep your pruning blades clean and sharp, whether using shears or a saw blade.