Norfolk Island Pine Bonsai Pruning
While it s entirely possible to start trimming a norfolk island pine trunk that has lost most of its branches it may not yield the result you seek.
Norfolk island pine bonsai pruning. When you prune a norfolk pine you prevent the cut point from growing any more. Norfolk island pine pruning will distort the tree. Use sharp pruning shears to trim dead foliage. The best time to prune the tree is during springtime.
Norfolk pine are hardy to about 10 f they should be okay. That means it is trying to send down roots to support a large top. Eventually reaching a height of about 80 feet the tree possesses a rapid growth rate. The outer and bottom most fourth of the tree s root mass should be removed.
This is done by raking the soil away then pruning back the roots. Norfolk island pine trees are a challenge to prune and pruning must be carried out with great care so as not to retard the growth of the plant. Better to use them as landscape trees they do not respond well to bonsai pruning techniques. The tree would grow taller but lightning frequently limits height growth in the eastern u s.
You can shape it by prudent pruning but expect it to get bushy at the places you cut back. If you do put it in a bonsai pot just keep it root bound to keep it growing slow and it will look like it does for a long time. The tree along with all of its soil should be removed from the pot. Norfolk pine wants to be a very large tree.
Unfortunately pruning is not an option when it comes to controlling the growth of this plant. Since this is a tree that can grow 50 65 meters high you should treat it as a bonsai when you trim it. The new buds should be pruned while they are still a light green color. You will likely find other norfolk island pines that have the droopy nature you admire.
Repotting should be done in mid summer. Pruning of norfolk island pine trees in this situation will probably produce multi stemmed shrubby plants.