Question
Dear Sir:
We planted a mugo pine about 8 years ago, and have allowed it to get too big for our space.  We want to prune it down, this spring if possible.  Is it alright to prune it in the spring?? and how much can we safely take off?

Thank you

Answer
If they are "far too large for the area. I would recommend replacing them while they are small. BUT you can prune them if that is what you want in the space they are planted.

Pines grow by putting out a thick shoot from the terminal end of each branch in the spring.This new growth is called a candle.

Recognized by the arrangement of their needles, pines enclose needles in bundles rather than each being attached individually to the branch. One of the  pines that have bundles of two are mugo.

Pruning Mugo Pines

Originating from Alpine Europe, the mugo pine is a shrub or small, round plant four to 10 feet tall. The popular landscape plant grows best in sun or partial shade in moist loam.

The dark green, one-inch-long, stiff needles are held on the tree for more than four years making this one of the more dense pines, especially with dwarf mugo varieties.

Before the needles open, pinch new candles by two thirds in the spring. Pinch the candles in two stages, shortening the most vigorous candles first and a week later pinching the weaker candles.

With healthy trees, it is possible to remove all the new candles every other year, before they harden.


As the candle matures, new needles pull away from the candle and start to elongate. Pines normally are pruned in late spring when the candles have made full elongation and new needles are starting to pull away.

By cutting these candles back one- half to two-thirds, we can help control the height and width of the trees. This also encourages denser growth.

The central leader at the top of the tree can be cut back to 12 inches and side laterals cut to maintain a pyramidal shape, he said. Hand clippers rather than hedge shears are recommended because they are less likely to damage new, expanding needles, he said.

Pines do not react well to severe pruning because they normally do not produce new buds on old wood. Therefore, cutting back pines past the candles can leave a deformed tree that will not fill in.