Scots pine needles pull REALLY easy.

[Mike Corazzi]

Wondering if that's normal.

Being that last year and this year are the only ones where it has recovered from the bad soil a few years back, I am concerned about it and trying to do things right.

The needles are VERY green and healthy ...looking....

But they sure aren't "stuck" very much.

My JBP needles are in like glue.

This Scots takes ...almost.. no effort to get a pinch of needles to come right off.

Same watering and fertilizing as the JBPs.

It is moved from last year's position where I had it VERY HOT sun and almost lost it but it recovered.

Should there be a BIG difference in how firmly the needles are attached?

Should watering be same as JBP?

 

[Paulpash]

If the needles are new from this year's candles then that's normal - you'll know when they have hardened off as they get harder to pull!

 

[Dav4]

Why are you pulling on the needles if they look healthy????

 

[Adair M]

You shouldn't be pulling this year's needles off!!!

When they pull off that easily, it means they're still growing!!! The tree needs them to make food so the tree can grow.

Mike, I've noticed a pattern with you. You do something, then come ask about it.

Try it in reverse. Ask first! This way you wont ruin your trees during the learning phase.

May I ask why you were pulling needles?

 

[Mike Corazzi]

I was moving the tree to a different bench and noticed how easy some...SOME..needles detached so I am wondering why the difference between them and JBP because I tugged on a few to see if they were as flimsy feeling.
And now I know.

All I wanted to know is if Scots are more delicate than JBP.

Thanks all for the assumptions that I am not learning anything.

 

[Mike Corazzi]

Adair, I do read and heed your advice.
I also thank you for it.

In this instance, I am just curious about something I noticed.
Most of my trees are thriving this year with one exception which is a mystery issue with an olive.

JudyB is trying to help on that but I'm not sure it's responding.

I really think my days of tree murder are over.

 

[LanceMac10]

Hey @Mike Corazzi ya' ol' buck!! Stop messin' with your Scots and start sippin' some Scotch.....



cuz' it's your Birthday!!!! Enjoy!!! Me and @sorce will be there in a bit....

 

[Adair M]

Adair, I do read and heed your advice.
I also thank you for it.

In this instance, I am just curious about something I noticed.
Most of my trees are thriving this year with one exception which is a mystery issue with an olive.

JudyB is trying to help on that but I'm not sure it's responding.

I really think my days of tree murder are over.

It's always difficult to know exactly what someone is talking about when they post without including pictures.

Anyway, all pine trees new needles are delicate until they have "hardened off". At that point, they have finished growing, and are just sitting there do the photosynthesis thing. It is best to not mess with the trees while the young growth is coming in. After the needles are hardened off, then they can tolerate some handling.

The key to growing olives is good, quick draining soil. You can repot olives during the growing season. Which is now.

 

[dirk hoorelbeke]

Yes it is normal. If you want to dig in and remove the OLD needles in summer (promoting backbudding), be VERY careful not to damage the new needles.

 

[Mike Corazzi]

Here's a pic of the Scots that should show I have...not... been "pulling needles."
Also a pic of the rack I built last week. I think with the better location, the pines will be happier.

(Got any idea why my needles seem to want to curve...DOWN?)

 

[M. Frary]

I'm thinking this tree is just tormenting you too much.
It would probably best just to give it away to someone who won't take it's crap.
I know a guy by the way.
He has a few. And let's them freeze solid for 5 months out of the year. It puts them in their place.
Long growing seasons give trees time to get a touch uppity.
My needles on all of my pines are just starting to poke out of the sides of the candles.
I won't be able to cut the shoots off until like the end of June.

 

[Mike Corazzi]

Well, I'm a-goin out RAHT NOW an YANK all them damn needles.
Then I'll make MULCH out of em and use em to insulate the feet of them metal flamingos this winter.

The trunk, I plan to jin into KINDLING!

And stick the ASHES in KAKADAMA !!!!



And woe betide anyone who AXES fer .............pitchers!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mike Corazzi]

Lookee HERE! Know what THIS is?
This is a NEEDLE!!!! A SCOT'S PINE one!
I ...pulled ... it! TODAY. 10 minutes ago!
It came RIGHT OFF EASY. Pair of 12" VISE GRIPS and ....... ZOW!
OFF!

Yes, OFF! Pulled!

It was a down facing one.

 

[Adair M]

They're curving down because they're long. You live in part of California where it's pretty warm most of the time, right? So, you have a long growing season, right?

Well, you have long needles because the tree has warm weather, and a long growing season. Scots pine is native to more Northerly and colder regions, and so it is expecting a short growing season. So, when it starts to grow, it grows FAST! To take advantage of the warm weather! Which usually doesn't happen until later in the year, where they are native. (See M Frary's post above).

So, in your case, they started growing sooner than they would in their native environment. And, they will continue to grow for a while. But, they're not really prepared to support long needles. Usually, their growing season isn't long enough to create long needles. So, the needles droop.

So, after all that...

If you don't want your Scots Pine's needles to droop,

Send it to Frary!!!

 

[sorce]

Hey @Mike Corazzi ya' ol' buck!! Stop messin' with your Scots and start sippin' some Scotch.....



cuz' it's your Birthday!!!! Enjoy!!! Me and @sorce will be there in a bit....
View attachment 147533

Happy Birthday you old needle pulling SOB pissin off outdoor light set up having green placing real SOB!

Where You at Lance...?





Oh we SMOKIN!

Sorce

 

[LanceMac10]

A little acknowledgement of my B-day wishes via the imtrafeb goes a long way. This clown don't abide.

 

[Mike Corazzi]

Would speaking to it in Norwegian and threatening it with Coors be of any use?

 

[dirk hoorelbeke]

With more ramification, reduced vigor, adapted techniques, clever watering and feeding the needles will grow shorter and will become straight. Before shortening needles be sure you have the backbudding and primary branches in place.

 

[Mike Corazzi]

With more ramification, reduced vigor, adapted techniques, clever watering and feeding the needles will grow shorter and will become straight. Before shortening needles be sure you have the backbudding and primary branches in place.

Any specifics you can share?
I've heard that before but am not sure how MUCH backbudding has occurred.
I do know that I have some very skinny long branches that I ....WISH.... would backbud, but doubt their sturdiness.
I'm reluctant to chop them off as the foliage on the end of them enhances the whole tree when viewing.

I can start another thread if it would be handier for you, Dirk.

and...Thanks for suggestion.

 

[twisted trees]

Well, I'm a-goin out RAHT NOW an YANK all them damn needles.
Then I'll make MULCH out of em and use em to insulate the feet of them metal flamingos this winter.

The trunk, I plan to jin into KINDLING!

And stick the ASHES in KAKADAMA !!!!



And woe betide anyone who AXES fer .............pitchers!!!!!!!!!

Might I suggest beer drinking as a new hobby.