The black pine never lets its gardener down. The decorative coniferous tree inspires with rapid growth, uncomplicated care and robust resistance to diseases. A good-natured cut tolerance rounds off the profile sensibly. Read here how to prune a Pinus nigra in an exemplary manner.
Late May is a good time to get the black pine in shape
The best time is after budding - tips for choosing a date
Put a day in your schedule for the cut between mid-May and early June. At this time, the tree has largely completed its budding this year, so that you can easily estimate the extent of the pruning. The pruning shears should be brought out at the latest when the needles begin to unfold along the candles.
Cutting guide
First of all, it should be noted that a black pine does not necessarily have to be cut. Where the tree has enough space available, it will take on an imposing stature over the years. In order to cultivate a Pinus nigra as a topiary or to limit its growth, an annual pruning in May is recommended. How to do it right:
- In order to regulate the growth height and width, shoots that are too long are shortened by up to two thirds
- To promote a bushy, compact habit, the candles are simply cut in half
- At the same time, deadwood is thoroughly removed to prevent senescence
If you don't mind the time investment, don't cut off the new shoots with pruning shears. Since healthy needles are not spared with this incision, the candles can be broken out individually by hand. When pruning the branches radically, please make sure that there are at least 5 to 10 pairs of needles below the cutting point. Otherwise, the black pine will find it difficult to sprout again.
tips
The high pruning tolerance, in combination with an excellent winter hardiness, qualify the black pine as the ideal bonsai for outdoors. With a little skill and a good sense of proportion, you can transform a Pinus nigra into an evergreen work of art that draws everyone's attention in the creative garden.