How do I grow a small pine tree I got in the woods.?

Question

I brought a small (4") pine tree back from the woods. I have a small terrace and plan to grow it in a large pot for several years untill I buy a house. What should I plant it in / how should I care for it? Should I bring it in for the winter or is it ok to leave it outside?

thanks

I brought a small (4") pine tree back from the woods. I have a small terrace and plan to grow it in a large pot for several years untill I buy a house. What should I plant it in / how should I care for it? Should I bring it in for the winter or is it ok to leave it outside?

I live just outside New York City, so the weather will get cold in the winter but I don't think the ground will freeze for the entire winter.

thanks

Answer 1

I planted a little Norway Spruce in a terrarium a couple years ago, and it has done beautifully. I have to admit, I was really shocked that it lived. I would start it inside if you have a cold winter, and then put it out in the spring so it can acclimate by next winter. Good luck!

Answer 2

Plants are generally pretty hardy, especially if they're native to your area. There's probably not a whole lot you have to do besides stick it in a pot with some dirt and water it every once in a while. And if it rains enough you won't even have to water it. Trees are used to staying out all winter, so if it's large enough it should be okay if you leave it out, but you can bring it in if you're worried about it or if its needles start to go brown. Bringing it in during the winter will also make it grow faster over the long term, as well as protecting it from herbivorous animals; just remember, if you do bring it in, put it by a window so it gets enough light.

I think your main worry would be diseases. It probably won't get any diseases, but if it does I'm not sure what you could do to keep it healthy.

Answer 3

The smaller it is, the easier to succeed. I'd put it in a 4" pot, no bigger than a 6" pot, with good drainage. You do want to leave it outside to duplicate the conditions it would have in the wild. Your best bet would be to sink the pot in the ground over winter. If that's not possible, bury the pot (but not the plant) in thick mulch once the ground freezes hard (around Thankasgiving here in Maine). The object is to keep it frozen once it freezes. Remove mulch gradually in spring. Pop it out of the pot periodically (maybe once a season) to check roots and re-pot it when roots have filled the pot but before they begin to circle.

Pot it in native soil if you can. If you use potting soil, feed it once in spring, otherwise don't push growth. If you follow these directions, you should be able to keep it going for several years in a pot. Don't overwater!

Answer 4

You didn't say where you live but I am assuming up north. So, I would say.... it is a tree that you got in the woods, right... no one is bringing the others in, are they? I say the inside will be way too hot and dry in the normal apt. in the winter, but I also think that your biggest danger if you keep it outside is the soil freezing in the pot. I think that your best bet would be to get one of those foam type pots that might offer more protection where it will be actually sitting above ground , not down in the ground. Good luck.

Answer 5

The needle drop from the pine needles makes the soil acidic. now and lower back so acidic that no longer something will strengthen. i might attempt the soil with a inexpensive PH attempt from the nursery first to be certain what you're working with first. according to hazard somewhat lime (treatment for acidic soil) will convey it lower back to a greater unbiased determine and additionally you could strengthen grass if the timber are pruned severe sufficient to permit grass to strengthen. Or in case you opt for for it shady some thing like Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon) could strengthen. it is going to ought to be no longer basic because of the fact the pines are shallow rooted and additionally you will discover in case you dig around them there's a 'thicket' of roots surrounding the tree and complicated starting to be for any plant. i'm trialling Acanthus Mollis (Bears breeches) at my place on the 2d decrease than my cedrus deodar and that they seem to have survived the 365 days. They have not been in long sufficient to be certain in the event that they are going to strengthen lush foliage so this is trial and mistake, yet may well be quite worth a attempt if the soil isn't too acidic. Acidic loving flowers including azalea ought to be the respond in case you could shop the area moist and the foundation opposition is to no longer undesirable.