Will white pine branches 'bud back' if pruned?

18 years ago

Hello,

My neighbor has some white pines planted close enough to the property line that the lower branches extend into my yard. He told me he is going to have them pruned back, but I am concerned that what will remain of the branches will not bud back, or put on new secondary branches, which would leave rather bare looking branches on my side, and reduce the screening effect that the trees currently provide.

I don't know if "bud back" is the right term, but I'm talking about when, if you cut the end of a branch on a broadleaf tree, it will typically send out new side shoots near the cut. Or on some conifers, like yews, I can do some heavy pruning, exposing some bare branches, but they put out a lot of new needles along those branches. I have the impression that white pines will not do this....am I correct?

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Comments (4)

pineresin
18 years ago
Your concerns are well founded, they won't bud back.

Resin
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
18 years ago
if you remove all buds from a branch.. that branch is dead

you can selectively remove tips .... at the main branch .... and shorten the branch ... and by leaving buds... retain the greenery ...

the better question ... why is he concerned about your side of the tree.. ON YOUR PROPERTY ....

yes.. he can remove his tree ... technically .. he can not come on your property to remove the overhang ...

is he being malicious???? ... or does he think he is doing you a favor????

if he is a friend... just tell him you would prefer he leave them be ...

ken
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alexander3_gw
Original Author
18 years ago
>if you remove all buds from a branch.. that branch is dead

Right, but I didn't know if there would be any dormant buds that might grow if the branch is cut back, like you would find on, for example, an elm or maple.

He's concerned because his tree has grown low hanging branches into my yard, and I think it's very considerate of him to offer to trim them back. I don't know how this could be interpreted as malicious. I've told him my concern, and that I would ask here to confirm or refute my concern. Resin has succinctly confirmed it. Thanks, Resin!

Alex
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
18 years ago
we have had a plethora of posts... over the years.. where neighbors vindictively destroys their own plants.. just to PO the poster ...

go figure on that ...

so i was just checking if there were more facts to the story ....

sounds like your guy is pretty cool .. but i would tell him its just fine the way it is... once you start trimming... it eventually becomes a nightmare ..... though it might take a decade or two ....

ken