Jessie Taylor
Mugo pines are slow-growing shrubs that are often cultivated as bonsai plants or used for decorative purposes. While pruning is not necessary for these shrubs, it can be done to control their size and shape. The ideal time to prune mugo pines is in late winter or early spring when new growth, known as candles, begins to form at the ends of the branches. These candles are tender upright shoots, typically with one tall central candle surrounded by shorter ones. To maintain a dense and compact plant, gardeners often prune the central candles by half their length. This technique can also be used to reduce the size of a dwarf mugo pine that is growing beyond its expected dwarf size.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to trim | Late winter or early spring |
| How often to trim | Once every two years or annually, depending on the desired size and shape |
| Tools | Sharp bypass hand pruners or finger tips |
| Time to trim | When candles are green, before they turn to brown wood in summer |
| Fertilizer | Slow-release shrub & tree type fertilizer or natural, organic plant food |
| Soil | Moist but well-drained |
| Watering | Regularly until the plant is established, then only during droughts |
| Shape | Smooth and rounded |
| Central candles | Can be pruned by half their length to create a more dense and compact plant |
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What You'll Learn
Pruning time: late winter or early spring
Pruning mugo pine shrubs in late winter or early spring is ideal because this is when the tender new buds of growth, known as candles, will have formed but have not yet developed needles. Avoid pruning in the fall, as any cut branches will stop producing buds if snipped outside of the growing season.
Mugo pines are slow-growing, so they may not need annual pruning if they are functioning as decorative shrubs or being used for garden screening. How often you prune your mugo pine depends on how large or small you would like it to be. If you want to keep your mugo pine to a reasonable size, prune it annually. Once every two years should be ample unless you're aiming for a manicured shape or need to limit its size.
When pruning, keep in mind that the ideal shape for a mugo pine is smooth and rounded. If your mugo pine has holes in its canopy, you can correct them by shape pruning. This involves not pruning candles in areas where more growth is required. Figure out which candles can grow to fill in the canopy hole, then skip these when you are pruning.
To control the size of your mugo pine, you can use the technique of halving the candles each year or so. This will reduce the size of the new growth that the shrub will achieve in the season. If the canopy gets too thick, you may want to remove some exterior candles.
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How to prune: cut or snap off candles
Mugo pines are slow-growing shrubs, so they may not need annual pruning. However, pruning can help maintain their size and shape. The ideal shape for a mugo pine is smooth and rounded. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring when new growth, or "candles", begin to form at the ends of the branches. These candles are the tender upright shoots that emerge from the ends of the branches, typically in bunches with one taller central candle surrounded by shorter ones. The central candle becomes the new long, straight branch, while the smaller candles become side branches.
To prune the candles, you can either use sharp bypass hand pruners to cut them back to the desired length or use your fingertips to snap them off. Make sure to do this while the candles are still green and tender, before they turn into brown wood during the summer. If you prune too late, the cut-back candles will not form buds for next year's growth and will eventually die.
When pruning, if you want a uniform mound, start by reducing the length of the tallest candles that grow beyond the profile of the shrub. Shorter candles within the profile of the shrub can be left alone to fill the space. If your mugo pine has gaps or holes in its canopy, you can leave the candles on nearby branches that are growing in the direction of the void to fill in those spaces.
If your mugo pine becomes too dense, you can remove most of the exterior candles at the end of the branches, leaving only one or two candles inside the shrub. If your pine looks thin and sparse, leave all the innermost candles and completely remove the main central candles at the ends of the branches. This will allow the shorter candles to fill in the space and keep the pine from adding too much size. For a more dense and compact plant, the central candles can be pruned by half their length.
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Avoid pruning in fall
Pruning and trimming your mugo pine shrubs in the fall should be avoided. Pines will stop growing from the points at which you prune off their branches. Any cut branches will stop producing buds if snipped outside of the growing season.
The best time for pruning pine trees is in late winter or early spring, when the tender new buds of growth, known as "candles", will have formed but have not yet developed needles. This is also when you can prune to correct damage any time of year. Although it's best to take care of broken and mangled branches right away, you should avoid pruning in late summer or fall whenever possible. Cuts made late in the season won't have time to heal before winter.
If you're looking to encourage a compact growth habit, try pinching back the candles, or new growth tips, in spring. Break them off at about the middle by hand. Cutting them with shears clips into the needles, causing them to turn brown. Trimming pine trees to shorten the branches is generally not recommended. Cutting into the woody part of a branch stops the growth of that branch, and over time, it will look stunted.
Mugo pines are slow-growing, so they may not need annual pruning if they are functioning as decorative shrubs or being used for garden screening. How often you prune your mugo pine depends on how large or small, or bushy or tall, you would like it to be. Otherwise, the main consideration is to keep an eye on growth to ensure your mugo pine isn't getting too messy or encroaching on other plants.
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Prune annually for size control
Mugo pines are slow-growing shrubs, so they may not require annual pruning if they are functioning as decorative plants or being used for garden screening. However, if you want to control their size, annual pruning can help maintain a neat, compact, and bushy appearance. The frequency of pruning depends on your desired size and shape for the shrub.
Pruning mugo pines annually in late winter or early spring is ideal. At this time, new growth, known as "candles," will have formed at the ends of the branches but will not yet have developed needles. These candles are tender upright shoots, typically in bunches with one taller central candle surrounded by shorter ones. The central candle becomes the new long branch, while the smaller candles become side branches.
To keep your mugo pine compact and dense, you can prune the central candles by half their length. This will also encourage the shrub's canopy to thicken. You can use sharp bypass hand pruners or your fingertips to snap off the candles while they are still green and tender. Avoid pruning too late, as doing so will prevent the formation of buds for the following year's growth, leading to the death of those branches within a few years.
If your mugo pine has gaps or holes in its canopy, you can fill them by leaving candles on branches growing in the direction of the void. Alternatively, you can remove most of the candles at the end of the branches, leaving only one or two candles inside the shrub to promote a denser appearance. For a uniform mound, reduce the length of the tallest candles that grow beyond the shrub's profile, while leaving shorter candles intact.
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Fertilise when candles appear
Mugo pines are slow-growing shrubs that are relatively low-maintenance. They are versatile and can adapt to a wide range of soil pH levels, from 4.5 to 7.5 on the pH scale. They grow well in moist, well-drained soil, preferably sandy, and are tolerant of various soil types as long as they are not too wet or dense.
When it comes to fertilising your mugo pine, it is important to be cautious as they can be susceptible to fertiliser burn. Fertilise your mugo pine annually, preferably in spring, by adding some compost or a similar amendment to the soil. You can also use a few shovels of organic soil amendment or organic compost to increase acidity and maintain acidic soil conditions.
If you are growing your mugo pine in a container, a spring application of fertiliser may be beneficial. For those in small spaces, consider choosing a true dwarf cultivar, which will require less fertiliser due to their smaller size.
When fertilising your mugo pine, it is also important to consider the shape you desire. If you are aiming for a uniform mound, start by reducing the length of the tallest candles that grow beyond the shrub's profile. This will encourage the shrub to fill in space and maintain a neat, compact shape.
By following these fertilising tips when candles appear on your mugo pine, you can promote healthy growth while maintaining the desired shape and size of your shrub.
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Frequently asked questions
Trim the candles in late winter or early spring when new growth (candles) begin to form at the ends of the branches. Avoid pruning in fall.
You can use sharp bypass hand pruners to cut back candles to the desired length, or use your fingertips to snap them off. Make sure your pruning shears are clean and rust-free to avoid contaminating the plant.
If you want a uniform mound, start by reducing the length of the tallest candles that are growing beyond the profile of the shrub. If your Mugo pine looks thin and sparse, leave all the innermost candles and completely remove the main central candles at the ends of the branches.
