Can cutting the limbs from an Austrian Pine tree kill it?

Question

Some limbs were cut on my Austrian Pine to allow for a better view and over time the tree has shrunk considerably. What would cause this? Is it the cutting of the limbs or something else?

Answer 1

Pines only grow at their terminals. So removing the tips as you would with shearing any other shrub would kill the pine as they can not grow anymore. No dormant buds behind. Since pines lose needles from the inside out, with no new growth at the ends, eventually the limbs go naked.

Also the foliage is needed to recharge the stored energy reserves within the tree every year since so many activities are "run" on stored energy e.g. root initiation in the late winter early spring. If too much foliage is removed through pruning, the tree has less "solar collecting" foliage to recharge the plant. If the plant is running a deficient, this calls in dangerous insects such as the boring beetles who can "sniff" out a tree under stress. Boring type beetles are often the killers.

So you need to examine the pine. Were tips removed in the pruning to "shape" the plant. Could an insect be feeding on the tips? Are there spots on the needles (another insect) Are you getting any new growth? (remembering pines naturally shed older needles and don't replace them..hence the need for new ones). Examine the trunk for signs of holes, sawdust or globs of pitch where the tree tried to push out boring insects.

Are you watering and caring for the tree or just leaving it up to nature? Any chemcials used around the tree?

Answer 2

Well, how would you feel if someone cut your limbs? That's how the tree gets food (sunlight and water), kinda like you using your hands to get food to your mouth... The tree WAS a "better view"... wasn't it? For shame for not finding out how to properly treat the tree first... :-( This is why some people shouldn't be allowed to live in the country.... Don't know how to properly interact with nature....