Pruning Small Pine- Correct time?

[jindie]

My son has small pine trees (about 8 feet tall).  They need some of the lower brances cut off.  Does anyone know the correct time to do this?  Thanks in advance!

[Ron Scott]

A few questions:

1.What kind of pine are they?
2. What is your son's future objectives for them, christmas trees, landscaping, future timber?
3. Where are the trees located for climate at best time to prune?

[jindie]

We live in the southeastern United States, in Arkansas.  These are just a few pine that were planted in his yard.  We got them from the Forestry Service.  They are Loblolly pine, and will be shade trees.  I just hated for him to wait until they got big, and saw off BIG lower limbs.  It seemed better to do it as they grew, I think, but wanted to make sure.

[Ron Scott]

The trees are a little small for specific prunning other than some possible shaping of the trees by trimming of the outside uneven branch growth.

Never prune more than 1/3 of the tree. Prunning is best done after the trees harden off after their growing season. Fall is usually the best time. You might check with your local Conservation District Forester or Extension Service for the best time in your specific area.

If left alone, nature will do its own prunning, but one can hurry it along to improve tree form and aesthetics as you wish to do.

[jindie]

Thanks for your help.  I just wanted to take off some of the lower branches that are only a few inches from the ground.  I've noticed on my bigger pine, they do tend to die and break off on their own.  On the other hand, my dad sawed on his when they were big, and left big stubs... :- :'( exactly what I was trying to avoid.  Thanks again, jindie.

[Jeff]

Thanks for the question Jindie!  Glad you are now part of the forum.

[Gordon]

I'm not sure if this information would be useful to you as well. I did a search in the forum links and this is what I found for tree pruning.

This is the html version for online veiwing
How to prune a tree

Here is the same thing only in a pdf file format for downloading.
how to prune a tree    

Gordon

[Tom]

I've been trying to prune a pear tree in the front yard for years now, but, all I ever get is pears. ;D

[Jeff]

yup, that sounds like somebody that needs prunes. :D

[jindie]

The Pdf file on Pruning was exactly what I needed.  :P Thanks a lot!  I printed it off for future reference, too, since it had a lot of information on pruning, and not just for pines.

[jindie]

I meant that to be a smiley face on the end.  I didn't notice it was blowing kisses...embarrassed jindie... :D

[Gordon]

Your more than welcome Jindie. Oh and yes please leave the kisses out. :D

But that is the great thing about this forum, everybody helping everybody if and when they can. Makes for a nice place to hang your hat.

I do have a few more links that I need to add to the Forestryforums growing list of links.

Gordon

[Jeff]

Hi Jindie,

For you and some of the other newer folks that might not realize, you can edit your own posts. Just look for the modify button on your post.  Thats very helpful for those unanticipated Typos!

I remember one way back that I caught that one of our posters made while thanking Ron Wenrich for something. Ron's handle is Woodtick. They typoed the t. You guys can figure out for yourselves what made this post embarassing. :D