Expert: Jim Hyland - 8/3/2006

Question
My aunt has two blue pine type trees which she had hoped would grow up into column-like shapes. Instead they are too wide  now with off shoots as branches.  Can she cut these outer branches and if she does will the brown pines left exposed grow back green?  She lives in Offaly in the midlands of Ireland. Many thankshetcb

Answer
If you prune pine limbs back to the trunk they will not grow back. You can prune the outer ends of the branches and reduce the width of the tree. Here is a link that will give some guideance to pruning evergreens.http://www.forestry.iastate.edu/publications/pubs-pdf/F-348.pdf