3 Ways To Grow Pine Trees

Most seedlings can be kept for several weeks between 35º and 38º F (1. 7 – 3. 3ºC), but you should check with the seller in case the species you bought has different requirements. [2] X Research source

Some seedlings are sold with a small amount of soil mixture packed around the roots. Try to keep as much of this on the roots as possible while rearranging.

If you cannot plant a pine tree somewhere with shade on its west side, instructions are included below for creating a sun shade. A mix of sand and loam is best for pine trees, but you should only need to mix in suitable organic mulch such as sphagnum if the soil is a hard clay consistency. [4] X Research source Choose an area with well-draining soil. A 1 foot (30 cm) deep hole filled with water should drain easily within 12 hours. If it does not, you may need to install drainage.

Warning: Contact your utility company to discover the location of underground lines before digging any large holes. Try to plant the tree to the same level it was planted in the nursery. If you’re unsure, it is better to plant the tree too high than too low. If you’re planting more than one pine tree, be sure to leave at least 10 to 12 feet (3 to 4 m) of spacing so they can grow to mature width without any obstruction. Some varieties of pine may need even more space, like the huge Austrian pine. [7] X Research source

Have an assistant hold the tree upright while you fill the hole if necessary.

While mulch should help control weeds in addition to providing good growing conditions, you should pull out any grasses or other small plants near the base of the tree if you do see any grow there. [10] X Expert Source Tyler RadfordPlant Specialist Expert Interview. 6 October 2020. Do not use a plastic barrier underneath the mulch. The tree needs water and air to be able to pass through the mulch. [11] X Research source

Soil that feels moist and holds together when picked up should not be watered, as over watering can suffocate the roots. Only water when the soil is mostly dry and crumbles apart, until it feels moist again. Water more in fall so the tree is prepared for winter. Water additionally during dry winter spells to protect young trees from drought, which is especially dangerous when the tree expects a wet season.

Many pests can be controlled chemically by spraying seedlings with insecticide and fungicide. Trees may need repeated applications to kill off pests, as the larval stage of boring insects live underneath the bark and aren’t affected. You can also ward off pests by good management. Keep your trees healthy, for instance, as pests are less likely to attack healthy young saplings. Plant trees on medium soil to promote vigorous root growth and check your plantings often to prune dead or dying limbs. Planting some pine varieties (i. e. white) with hardwood trees or under a hardwood canopy seems to protect them from Dendroctonus bark beetles. It’s often best to remove damaged trees that will be vulnerable to pests. Always remove and destroy trees killed by boring insects, too.

While most pine cones ripen between August and October, some species such as the Scotch pine remain usable until March. [17] X Research source Your local climate will also be a factor. Read the description of ripe pine cones so you know what to look for. See Growing Pine Trees from Seedlings for an easier, faster method.

You may take fallen cones or pick them from the tree by twisting them off the branch. [19] X Research source Female pine cones are usually higher on the tree, so you may need a stepladder or a hooked pole. Choose brown or purplish pine cones, as fully green cones are not mature and have not produced useful seeds. Pine trees that have produced many cones are more likely to produce useful seeds. [20] X Research source

Shake over a tarpaulin to easily collect the seeds afterward. Use tweezers to pull out stubborn seeds, or if you only collected a few cones.

Cut open one or two of the largest floating seeds to check whether they are actually empty. If they are full, wait longer for the remaining seeds to sink. Discard the floating seeds at the end of this process. They are not usable. Large operations sometimes place a bag of seeds in running water, which is better at removing fungal spores that could cause infection. This is difficult to achieve at home, but you could consider changing the water every 12 or 24 hours.

Different species of pine tree do best in different conditions. Identify your species in a regional tree identification book or website if possible, and look up how long “stratification” takes. If you can’t, the below methods should work as long as you check the seeds’ progress regularly. In general, pines that grow in relatively warm climates further south (but not at high elevations) require little to no stratification before planting and can simply be stored dry at room temperature, while pines from damper, colder climates cannot grow without a cold, moist period.

You may wish to include a thick straw or other thin tube to allow a small amount of air exchange with the outside, to ensure the environment has sufficient oxygen. [23] X Research source Note: certain species benefit from several weeks of storage in a warm, dark area before transfer to the refrigerator. The duration of this warm period varies widely by species, so search for specific information online if you can identify your seeds.

Note: If you can identify your species, search for information on “stratification” for that species online. You may wish to store the bag in a warm location before transferring to the fridge.

For seeds that refuse to sprout after several weeks, you can encourage them by letting them dry out, then repeating the treatment. If the growing season is over or you wish to save seeds for next year, dry the surface but leave them slightly damp, then store in the refrigerator. Keep checking regularly to be sure they don’t sprout.

Instead of using soil, use a potting mix intended for pine trees, or create your own mix of 80% pine bark and 20% peat moss. Push the seeds just under the soil with the pointed root facing downward. If keeping the plants indoors, keep the pots on a raised table to make it more difficult for mice to reach them.

Pine trees grow best with plenty of sun, but young seedlings are susceptible to damage during the hottest part of the day. Place the seedling somewhere it will be shaded during the early afternoon, such as near an east-facing window. Keep the seedling moist but not soaked. Carefully transplant the seedling to a larger pot after it reaches 2 inches (5cm) in the smallest “multi pot” tubing, or once it reaches 4 to 6 inches (about 10 to 15 cm) in a medium sized tube or pot.