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Pruning guide · Tree
Japanese black pine: when and how to prune
Pinus thunbergii
Japanese black pine is best pruned in May.
| Pruning months | May |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in May |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Japanese black pine: when to prune it?
Only in May, while the young shoots (candles) are still soft and the needles have not yet opened.
What else to prune in those months? May
Japanese black pine: how to prune it?
- Pinch or cut the new candles back by about half with sharp scissors, before the needles unfurl.
- Do this every year: it keeps the crown dense and stops it getting too big.
- Cut dead, crossing or damaged branches back to the trunk.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: May.
- 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 May 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: Never cut into bare, brown wood without needles or buds: a pine will not sprout again from it. Always leave some green.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Japanese black pine · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.