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Prune and thin Scots pine

nickoslesterosnickoslesteros Posts: 178
edited May 2023 in Problem solving
I've got, what I think, is a Scots Pine (or similar) in my front garden.ita starting to dominate, and I need to thin it out and try to stop it's vertical growth. 

My plan was to chop off the crown of the main trunk, and get inside to thin out a lot of the branches. Maybe also 'lift' the tree where I can by removing lower branches. 

I'm aware that new growth won't come off pruned sections on this evergreen.

Anybody had any experience of doing this?

Cheers :)


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Posts

  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    There are lots of Scots pines and similar conifers in the area where I live, constantly being pruned or removed as they have grown too big for their location.  If the pruning is not done well, they can become an unsightly landmark, commented on by neighbours and passers by!  Personally, I'd consult a qualified tree surgeon for advice and go from there.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited May 2023
    Don't cut off the crown  :/
    You can remove lower branches which will raise it, and that's a far better method of maintaining it. If you want to take out individual branches near the top, it would be better to get someone specialised in to do it. It would be very easy to ruin the shape completely. 
    Here's some info on them
    https://forestryandland.gov.scot/learn/trees/scots-pine

    I'm afraid they get big, so you may have to remove it completely if it doesn't suit you. We have loads of them around here though, and near houses without any problem. 

    You can compare the photos to see if that's what you have, but there are various other types that are available, so it may be one of those.
    The only thing against it being a pine is that the cones look like they're growing up rather than down, which suggests it's not a pine, but a conifer or fir. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I don’t think that is a Scots Pine, but whatever it is, if you remove the crown, it will look terrible.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - the cones certainly looked upwards when I zoomed in a bit, so it's a fir not a pine.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • nickoslesterosnickoslesteros Posts: 178
    You are absolutely right. The cones point upwards. Guess that sort of answers one thing. My main objective for now is, if it is wise to do, to thin it a little, just to let in a little more light to the garden below, and if I can raise it - mores the better. Guess I can try, and if I don't get anywhere, it might have to come down... 

    Thanks so much for all your input on this 
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited May 2023
    Posibly not a scots pine, too rounded a shape.  Possibly a stone pine, aka umbrella pine or parasol pine.   A feature of the Mediterraneum. 

    Bonsai growers use pines a lot.  Perhaps consult a bonsai book.  They usually prefer to finger-nip out the growing tips about nowish (where are you located?).  A cut would show for a while , but that might not bother you.  A few careful small branch removals might succeed.  The wrong tree surgeon might be chop-down-and-clear happy.

    What you call cones (I think) are not seed cones but this year's  leaf and twig growth.

    If you prune to maintain the present size and basic shape, that might be your best long term course aof action.

    To my taste it looks perfect as it is.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • Balgay.HillBalgay.Hill Posts: 1,089
    Lovely looking tree in the wrong place. 
    Sunny Dundee
  • nickoslesterosnickoslesteros Posts: 178
    Balgay.Hill said:
    Lovely looking tree in the wrong place. 
    i know - moved in here 5 years ago. Seems such a shame to lose it, but I do need to limit its spread and growth - otherwise it won't be long before, regrettably, the chainsaw comes out :(
  • nickoslesterosnickoslesteros Posts: 178
    bédé said:
    Posibly not a scots pine, too rounded a shape.  Possibly a stone pine, aka umbrella pine or parasol pine.   A feature of the Mediterraneum. 

    Bonsai growers use pines a lot.  Perhaps consult a bonsai book.  They usually prefer to finger-nip out the growing tips about nowish (where are you located?).  A cut would show for a while , but that might not bother you.  A few careful small branch removals might succeed.  The wrong tree surgeon might be chop-down-and-clear happy.

    What you call cones (I think) are not seed cones but this year's  leaf and twig growth.

    If you prune to maintain the present size and basic shape, that might be your best long term course aof action.

    To my taste it looks perfect as it is.

    Interesting - seems strangle to look at a Bonsai book for this monster :) I will have a look though. (I am located NW England - Wirral). Yes - I think I could cope with maintaining the shape. Re the growing tips - would this be the new leaf and twig growth, you mention?
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    I think there may be some unintended confusion here ; Pinus spp. are all conifers , as are all cone-bearing trees .
    Difficult to ID the exact species from the picture ; this is sometimes done by checking the number of individual needles around the apical growing tips on the branches .
    It resembles (and at the same stage of growth) my Pinus nigra , but this complex group is extremely variable ; many hybrids and sub-species have evolved over time due to fairly wide geographical distribution .
    Sorry for not being more helpful .
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