IMHO, should survive since it did grow alittle. Mulch the root zone liberally when temps are commonly getting down to freezing. Austrian pine suffers badly in the US east from needlecast & pine wilt, but should be OK in WY.

Thanks for the input. Yeah the top buds are new along with the pathetic new growth. I think these trees might get too big, yes, but I need privacy and I'll just cut them down in 15 years if they turn out to be too big. Nigras do pretty well here.

and I'll just cut them down in 15 years if they turn out to be too big.

==>> yeah.. i had that logic.. and you know what happened ...???

15 years later.. i am debating the wisdom of that logic ... and get this... I AM 15 YEARS OLDER... and im not going out there and use a chain saw ... nor drag the refuse all over the yard.. and im too cheap to pay for it ...

so.. add that all up ... it wasnt a good decision... lol...

ken

I had a pinon do that for a few years after planting. I don't know the reason, I could only speculate that it originated from a milder climate with a longer growing season and planting stress slowed down budding. But, that only explains the first growing season, not the late push or bud set the 2nd and 3rd year. Maybe it just took that long for it to sync with my climate here.

I think I'd give it a chance. It's probably in too good of shape to return if there was a warranty. Mulch well as beng suggested and snip off that plant tag before it girdles a branch. Or does the mulch just blow away, like it does here? If you could get pine needles, they tend to knit together a bit better than bark mulch.

I hear you Ken, I've got a couple of trees I didn't give enough room. Editing out healthy plants is not fun!

Barb

I will be curious to see what this tree looks like next summer. I'm pretty sure I have never had a pine tree candle out anywhere near that late in the year. No spring growth always means dead pine tree.

I planted two freebie Austrian pine in my parent's yard a long time ago. Both grew extremely well for about 15 years then just suddenly died over two winters.