Pine Bonsai Tree

Jack Pines have been becoming more popular amount bonsai artists. These trees are very hardy and will grow in fairly low quality soil. They are a great first pine for your bonsai collection. Thrive best outdoors and in full sun.

Pine Bonsai Tree – Quick Reference Guide

Scientific Name:	Pinus Banksiana
Indoor/Outdoor:	Outdoor
Hardiness Zone:	2-7
Native Land:	North America
Soil Type:	Neutral / Low Acidity (50% Sand)
Watering:	Water thoroughly when near dry
Lighting:	Full Sun
Fertilizer:	Low in fall. None in winter.
Repotting:	Every 2-5 years
Pruning:	Annually
Flowers:	Cones
Common Pests:	Aphids, Weevils

Pruning a Pine Bonsai

Prune pines every year in the spring.

Single Flush Pines -vs- Double Flush Pines

Before you prune your bonsai pine, it’s important to identify the flush frequency. Single Flush Pines have one flush of growth every year. Double flush pines, while kept in stable conditions, also produce one flush per year, but when stimulated to do so, will produce a second annual flush.

The Japanese Black Pine (Pinus thunbergii) and Japanese Red Pine (Pinus densiflora) are the two most common double flush pines. To stimulate an second flush for these, you may choose to prune the candles early in the season, so that it will grow more. The second flush will result in smaller candles and shorter needs. Be careful; Removing the candles on a single flush pine will not trigger a second growth, and will potentially kill the entire tree branch!

What is a candle on a pine?

Candles are small elongated stalks that grow out of the tips of the small branches around the spring and early summer. These will solidify into branches as the season progresses. See the image below for a better understanding.

Notice the brown area around the bottom of the candle. This is the old growth from the previous year. The green shaft is the growth from this year. The small pins throwing from the shaft is the new growth and will become the new pins for this coming year. The most important area is the Jiku. There is no English translation for Jiku, but it is the small smooth green area between last years needs and the new needle growths.

Pruning Candles

You can tell candle health by comparing each one to the rest. The more longer and thicker the candle is, the more healthy it is. These are the ones that you will want to cut back. Make sure to not cut above the first few rows of needls on all candles. Cutting the jiku, or into the needs will damage your tree and may kill the entire branch.

USDA – NRCS Plant Guide