Chloe Adams
Pine trees require special pruning, and this is best done in spring when the trees are covered with prominent upright buds at the branch tips. These buds are called 'candles' and they are the spring growth of the tree. Pine candling is the act of selectively removing or reducing the size of the candle to reduce or restrict the growth of the tree itself. This technique is used to maintain the distinctive shape of the pine trees.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What | Candling is the act of pruning pine trees by selectively removing or reducing the size of the "candles" (upright shoots that emerge from the ends of the branches in spring) to restrict the growth of the tree. |
| When | Candling should be done in spring, when the candles are still green and before they turn to brown wood in summer. |
| Tools | Sharp bypass hand pruners can be used to cut the candles to the desired length, but it is also possible to snap them off with your fingers. |
| Notes | Candling can be used to maintain the distinctive shape of the pine tree, and to control its size. It is best done on young pine trees. |
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What are pine candles?
Pine candles, also known as 'candles', are the bright green, upright shoots that emerge from the ends of pine branches in spring. They are called 'candles' because of their resemblance to wax candles, with one tall candle in the centre, surrounded by several shorter ones. Pine candles are the tree's new growth and they determine the shape the tree will take.
The process of pruning pine trees is called candling, or candle pruning. It involves the selective removal or reduction of the candles to restrict the growth of the tree and maintain its distinctive shape. Candling is typically done in spring, when the candles are still green and tender, and can be snapped off with the fingers. If tools are required, sharp bypass hand pruners can be used.
Candling is an ancient Japanese art form, practised to maintain the distinctive form of pine trees. It is a simple process that can be done annually to control the growth of the tree. By removing the dominant candle, the growth of the mature branch is shortened, and the tree puts more energy into the secondary candles. This results in shorter and denser growth, lending to the overall form of the tree.
The percentage of the candle that is cut off will determine the eventual length of the candle. For example, if half of a candle is cut off, it will only grow to half its original size. This technique can be used to create a mound shape, rather than a tree, by reducing the length of the tallest candles. To create a denser pine, the main central candles can be cut back to half their length.
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When to prune
Pine trees form new growth each spring, in the form of bright green sprouts called "candles". These candles are the key to pruning your pine tree.
The best time to prune pine trees is in late spring to early summer, typically in May or June, depending on your climate. This is when the candles have fully elongated but have not yet hardened. You should prune the candles to your desired length, leaving behind some green foliage. Avoid cutting off over half the length of a candle, and be sure to only prune actively growing tips. Pine trees do not resprout from old wood, so pruning back to where there are no needles will not encourage new growth and will leave permanent bare spots.
When pruning, you can use sharp bypass hand pruners to cut the candles to your desired length, or simply snap or pinch them off cleanly with your fingers. You should avoid cutting too close to the trunk, as this may cause unnecessary stress to the tree. If you want to limit the height of your pine tree, snap or snip the candles off at the base. If you want to make it bushier, pinch the candles in half. If you are happy for your pine to grow taller, simply leave the candles alone or snap off the tips to help the tree bush out a little.
Candle pruning is best done on young pine trees, as it reduces the overall size over time while retaining the tree's natural appearance. It is not recommended to shear pine trees or to cover pruning cuts with tree paint, as healthy trees heal well on their own.
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How to prune
Pruning a pine tree is a delicate process that requires careful consideration of the tree's natural growth patterns and the desired shape. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prune a pine tree:
Step 1: Understand the Growth Pattern
Pine trees form new growth in the spring, with bright green sprouts called "candles" appearing at the branch tips. These candles are typically arranged in clusters, with one dominant central candle surrounded by secondary, shorter candles. The central candle grows into a long, straight branch, while the secondary candles become side branches.
Step 2: Timing is Key
The best time to prune pine trees is during the spring, specifically from April to May. This is when the candles are still tender and easy to snap off with your fingers or sharp bypass hand pruners. Avoid pruning at any other time of the year, as it can disrupt the tree's growth pattern.
Step 3: Decide on the Desired Shape
Determine whether you want to maintain the tree's natural appearance or create a more compact and dense shape. If you wish to keep the natural shape, focus on selectively removing or reducing the length of the dominant candles, allowing the secondary candles to develop into side branches. If a denser shape is desired, cut back the main central candles to half their length, encouraging shorter and denser growth.
Step 4: The Pruning Process
When pruning, avoid cutting over half the length of a candle, as it will reduce its eventual size. You can use sharp bypass hand pruners or simply snap off the candles with your fingers. Ensure that the candles are still green and have not turned into brown wood, indicating they are from the current year's growth. Always prune actively growing tips, as pines do not resprout from old wood, and avoid pruning below the sprouts to prevent eliminating or delaying future growth.
Step 5: Clean-up and Maintenance
After pruning, clean your tools and hands with alcohol or hand sanitiser to remove any sticky pine pitch. Keep the area tidy by using a cloth to catch trimmings and bagging limbs to prevent them from spreading in the wind. It is also important to note that you should avoid covering pruning cuts with tree paint, as healthy pine trees heal on their own, and the paint may cause more issues.
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Tools and safety
Pine candling is best done on young pine trees to reduce their overall size while retaining their natural appearance. It is important to note that pine trees do not resprout from old wood, so any mistakes made during pruning will result in permanent bare spots. Therefore, it is crucial to take off small amounts at a time and avoid cutting beyond where the needles are present.
When it comes to tools, you will need a pair of sharp pruning scissors, bypass hand pruners, or twig shears. It is important to sterilize your pruning equipment with rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl) to prevent the spread of diseases, fungi, viruses, or bacteria between cuts. Pine pitch can accumulate on your cutters, so wiping them with alcohol or hand sanitizer will help remove it. Dull equipment can be dangerous, so keep your tools sharp.
For pine bonsai trees, you may want to use a lubricant such as WD40 followed by a sharpening stone to remove sticky residue from the sap. You can also use your fingertips to snap off the candles, especially for young plants, to avoid cutting all the needles and creating unsightly browned tips.
To protect yourself, wear gloves and long sleeves to guard your hands and arms from cuts and scratches, as well as from the sticky pine pitch. Keep a bottle of alcohol or hand sanitizer nearby to remove sap from your hands and tools. Have a rake and/or a broom on hand to collect trimmings and keep the area clean.
Pine candling involves selectively removing or reducing the size of the "candles" (tender upright shoots) to control the growth of the pine tree and maintain its distinctive shape. By removing the dominant candle, you shorten the growth of the mature branch, allowing the tree to put more energy into the secondary candles, resulting in shorter and denser growth.
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Shaping the tree
Shaping a pine tree requires a process called candling or candle pruning, which is best done on young pine trees in spring. This is when the pine tree is covered with prominent upright buds at the branch tips, which are called candles. These candles are the spring growth of the tree and will become its branches.
Candle pruning is the act of selectively removing or reducing the size of the candles to restrict the growth of the tree. By controlling this growth, you can maintain the distinctive shape of the pine tree. The central candle typically becomes a long, straight branch, while the smaller candles become side branches.
To shape your pine tree, start by identifying the candles you want to remove or shorten. The central candle can be cut back to half its length if you want to maintain a more dense and compact pine. You can also leave the shorter candles alone if you don't want your pine tree to add much size. Use sharp bypass hand pruners or your fingertips to snap off the desired candles. Avoid cutting off more than half the length of a candle, and make sure to only prune actively growing tips, as pine trees don't resprout from old wood.
If your pine tree has gaps that are void of branches, you can leave candles on other nearby branches that are growing in the direction of the void to fill in those spaces. On the other hand, if your pine tree looks too dense, you can remove most of the candles at the end of the branches, leaving only one candle per branch. For a pine shrub, you can leave one or two candles per branch.
Remember to only prune in the spring, as this is the time when pine trees have new growth. Avoid pruning in the fall or winter, as this can cause your tree to drip sap or become stressed.
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Frequently asked questions
Candling is the act of selectively removing or reducing the size of the pine tree's candles to restrict the growth of the tree itself.
Candling should be done in the spring, when the candles are still green and before they turn to brown wood in summer.
You can use sharp bypass hand pruners to cut the candles to the desired length, or snap them off with your fingers.
Avoid cutting off more than half the length of a candle. Also, make sure to only prune actively growing tips, as pines do not resprout from old wood.
