How to prune Pinus tabulaeformis

When to prune pine

It is best to prune Pinus tabulaeformis in summer and winter. It can be pruned after it sprouts and before its leaves fall. Pruning work such as pinching, thinning and removing suckers can be done.

Winter pruning should be done after the leaves fall and before the spring buds sprout. After pruning, the branches and leaves of the Chinese pine can grow more vigorously and it is also beneficial for its flowering, but do not prune drastically.

How to prune branches of Pinus tabulaeformis

1. Bud peeling: In the early spring when the branches of Pinus tabulaeformis begin to sprout, you can cut off the extra useless buds on the branches. At this time, you should pay attention to protecting the strong and useful buds, which can be maintained into the main branches. The direction of the buds should be reasonable and the distribution should be even.

2. Removing suckers: When the new branches of Pinus tabulaeformis have not yet become lignified, the useless branches growing on the trunk and roots can be pruned off. When pruning, be careful not to tear the bark or leave dead stumps.

3. Pruning and pinching: When the Pinus tabulaeformis grows to a certain height, part of the branches can be cut off. During the growing season, the tender branches at the tips of the branches should also be removed to promote the sprouting of side branches.

4. Thinning: During the growth period of Pinus tabulaeformis, useless branches can be cut off, which is called thinning. Thinning can make the tree ventilated and light-permeable, reduce nutrient consumption, enhance tree vigor, and promote local growth.

Cuttings of Pine Pruning Branches

Cutting propagation of Pinus tabulaeformis is more troublesome, and has higher requirements in terms of methods and management. First of all, you need to choose high-quality branches that are 5-8 years old, and the length should be about 10-15 cm. You also need to remove the lower leaves, cut off the tender tips, and soak them in rooting water. The substrate must be disinfected before use, and the cuttings should be inserted into the soil 5 cm deep. After cutting, water thoroughly and cover with film.

Precautions for pruning Pinus tabulaeformis

Before pruning Pinus tabulaeformis, the tools need to be disinfected. They can be soaked in carbendazim solution or potassium permanganate solution. The incision should be flat when pruning. After pruning, the incision should be disinfected in time to kill latent pathogens. Wood ash should also be applied to speed up wound healing.