It is not normally recommended to fertilize pines period. They are basically
trees happiest in less fertile soils, and also soils that are extremely
well-drained - even to the point of being sandy or dry. I think your idea of
pinching out the growing tips is probably fine, but how will you reach them
if they are they same height as your house? It's also possible that without
a leader, the tree might start trying to make new leaders from one or more
the side branches toward the top - so you'll have to pay attention to that
too.
"Shrek" wrote in message
...
Hello,
I have a privacy border along my house lined with Eastern White Pines. The
pines
have done quite well in the 4 years I have been in this new construction
home.
The pines are now about has high as my house and I really don't want them
getting much taller, and I want to maintain the shape of the tress which
are
full from top to bottom. I was told by some, to top the trees to maintain
height
and keeps them full, top to bottom. From my research on the Internet,
topping
is a no-no. My idea is, next spring when the terminal leader growth
appears is
to cut this before the wood hardens. This should maintain the height of
the
trees. Also, I will stop getting the trees fertilized each year, perhaps
just
fertilizing them very other year. Comments please...