AboutJim Hyland Expertise Registered Forester in the Southern US with 30 years experiance in managing pines. Expert in pine forest health from management to control of pests to ID of species.
Question Five years ago I planted about 15 four to six foot pine trees throughout my back yard. They have been slow to grow. I have fertilized them annually. If I trim off the bottom foot of branches, will it help the trees grow faster?
What can be done to get them growing?
Thank you
Answer Trimming the lower branches will not make the tree grow "faster". You did not say how tall the trees were now compared to the 6 foot when planted. Trees grow based on the soil conditions they are planted in. White pine should grow 12-24 inches per year in height growth. They do best in moist soil conditions, but can tolerate dry, rocky ridges to bogs. I would try watering them once a week with 1 inch of water-place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler on and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop. Do this if it does not rain. fertilizer should be 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 lb per inch of trunk diameter scattered around the tree and water in good.
