On Mon, 09 Aug 2004 02:20:56 GMT, Shrek wrote:

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...


A UT arboretum study shows that fertilizing pine trees has little
effect on growth, unlike deciduous tree. Cutting off the leader will
encourage them bush out. I have several 60-foot pine trees, all
healthy, and never fertilize them. I do trim the lower branches so
that I can mow easily. Many Eastern White pines have been attacked by
the Southern pine beetle. If there is some way (plantings under the
tree, drains, etc) to limit the water your trees get, they should slow
in growth.