Young pines

[Iseezur]

I have 28 young pines 6 years old and put in as saplings. They seem to be doing fine except the lower half is very full and the tops are sparse. They range in height from 3 1/2 feet to 8 feet. Should I thin out the full part at bottom? Or maybe just let them alone and let nature take its course?

Thanks much for your help.
Gene Schreyer

 

[treeclimber165]

For the most part I wouldn't do any thinning. Most pines dont take well to pruning of green limbs. Pruning off a few lower limbs might be OK, but don't elevate more than 1/3 of the height of the tree (6' tree trimmed up to 2' off the ground). If they are 6 years old and only 3 1/2 to 8 feet it sounds like they could use some food. Perhaps some fertilizer stakes.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I would agree with not touching them, they are rather young. It sounds like they are starting to grow faster now. Are the sections between whorls longer (internopse)?