What kind of pine and what causes the shade?

tj

Limber pine (Pinus flexilis). Deciduous trees cause the shade.

Here's the cultivar: https://plantfinder.mobot.org/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=252868

I’m not a botanist or soil scientist, but I doubt “good soill” wil overcome sun deficiency, especially with a pine. Evaluating “bright shade“ is difficult at best, but I suspect the tree will survive, but never become the specimen you’d wish for. There are other conifers for this job.

Certainly not the best location but the fact that there will be no leaves for a good portion of the year is in your favor. If I really liked a particular cultivar, I’d be tempted to try it, but that’s just me.

tj

You (or your arborist!) could also do some strategic pruning on the existing trees to allow more direct sun to the pine. Sometimes removal of a few branches will make a significant difference without materially changing the pruned trees. This of course can get expensive, but if you want the pine to shine...

Certainly not the best location but the fact that there will be no leaves for a good portion of the year is in your favor.

That is my line of thinking, too. I mean, in reality most deciduous trees are only fully leafed out 5-6 months of the year. But, do conifers photosynthesize in winter in cold zones? (sorry if that's a dumb question...) Or at least enough to fuel enough growth to avoid an open, spindly look?

"You (or your arborist!) could also do some strategic pruning on the existing trees to allow more direct sun to the pine."

Definitely. This area needs the oak and hickory trimmed up, but not until January or so for the (oaks). There is also a chokecherry that looks terrible, it might be older than me and is gnarly mess, every year that goes by it gets sparser and sparser. Even DH commented on it. So, I'm debating having that big ol' thing taken out.

I already bought the pine. I think I have another spot for it up by the corner of teh house where it will get south and western sun from about noon onwards, so that's definitely full sun. The problem is it requires removal of a massive stand of zebra grass, which I can't do myself. If DH can tackle that tomorrow or next weekend I might end up planting it there instead. I bought it for the other location, though, so IDK.

Conifers photosynthesize as long as the soil temps are above freezing, so there is a window both after leaf drop and before leaves form.

tj

Your Vanderwolf grows kind of leggy any way , so candle pruning every other year will help dense growth,

Ron

I got it planted up by the house in the full sun location. I'll try to snap a pic soon. It's a very nice tree, I really like it.

Porkchop, I hope it responds in kind for you. I’ve not grown this pine, but the needles are exquisite.

Very nice. Is there a better pine for blue than what you show? The only one that comes to mind would be Pinus peuce 'Pacific Blue'.