Pine Trees (landscape, growing, containers, solar)

[mdawg]

So this past spring I planted 2 White Pine trees in my backyard, and by the end of the summer they both died. My guess is that they couldnt take the heat because it got into the upper 90s for days here in kentucky, and were were in a drought for most of the summer, so my question is, what kind of pine trees should I try here? I was thinking some type of southern pine because they can handle the heat and droughts better.

[azoria]

I can't give you pine tree advice, but I can tell you that young tree seedlings often have a low survival rate. It may not have been that the kind of tree was wrong, maybe the little trees didn't have a well developed enough root system to survive the inclement summer weather.

I've had the best luck transplanting trees grown in 10 gallon containers. Tree not too big, viable developed root system that can be removed from the container intact.

I've had the lowest survival rate planting young seedlings, and large balled and burlapped trees.

Plants will go through 'transplant shock'. You have to care for them nicely through this phase, and then trees generally will take a couple of years to root in. For the first couple of years the trees will need some care. If it's a tree well adapted to the area soil and climate, after two or three years they're usually ok on their own.

In a moderate climate fall is a good time to plant trees, so you might try again now.

[azoria]

A lot of people don't realize it because they can't see them, but root health and development is vital to the plant.

People look at leaves, but plants actually depend on their root system for survival. Good root system=happy healthy plant.

[southernnaturelover]

I suggest trying Shortleaf Pine. You may be a little too far north for Loblolly Pine.

Try this site...
Mail Order Natives Home Page

I have bought many plants from them and have been very satisfied. Very good root systems.

[mdawg]

With the White Pines, I tried to keep their roots moist most of the time, and one made it through most of the summer. They were both about 3 feet tall when I bought them from Lowes. A lot of people around here have Shortleaf Pines, and they do well, and many people have Loblolly Pines too. I need a quick grower, so between the two, which will grow faster?

[GraniteStater]

I have actually had better luck growing Norway Spruce trees compared with White Pines.
Pines and Spruces do better in cooler areas with less solar insolation. A suggestion would be planting them on northern or eastern facing sides of the house.

[SD4020]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

I have actually had better luck growing Norway Spruce trees compared with White Pines.
Pines and Spruces do better in cooler areas with less solar insolation. A suggestion would be planting them on northern or eastern facing sides of the house.

+1 on Norway Spruce.

I have good luck with them in my clients plantings.

I plan to use them in my own landscape next spring.

[pinetreelover]

I don't have enough knowledge of what would grow well in your area, but just wanted to give you a big cyber thanks for appreciating the ubiquitous pine tree! As you can tell from my screen name, I'm a big fan of those majestic towering trees. Too many folks look at them as weeds and cut them down! Thanks for appreciating the pine!

[SD4020]

Originally Posted by pinetreelover

I don't have enough knowledge of what would grow well in your area, but just wanted to give you a big cyber thanks for appreciating the ubiquitous pine tree! As you can tell from my screen name, I'm a big fan of those majestic towering trees. Too many folks look at them as weeds and cut them down! Thanks for appreciating the pine!

I see you pine for Pine.

[masonsdaughter]

Mdawg,
I live in eastern KY, and the white pines do fine here, as do hemlocks, and black pines. This has just been a hard year for trees. Resetting them is always an iffy proposition, though.