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Pruning guide · Tree
Japanese umbrella pine: when and how to prune
Sciadopitys verticillata
Japanese umbrella pine is best pruned in April.
| Pruning months | April |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in April |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Japanese umbrella pine: when to prune it?
It needs hardly any pruning and forms a handsome conical tree by itself. Do the small jobs in April.
What else to prune in those months? April
Japanese umbrella pine: how to prune it?
- Remove dead or damaged branches back to the trunk.
- If there are two leaders, choose one and remove the competing top in spring, while it is still young.
- Do not cut into bare wood: conifers usually do not shoot again from it.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: April.
- Never remove more than about a quarter of the crown at once. Better a little every year.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in April can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: Do not remove the top: you would lose the typical conical shape.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Japanese umbrella pine · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.