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Norfolk Island Pine questions

17 years ago

I have a 3 1/2 foot tall Norfolk Island Pine that is fairly old and growing ok - large green branches and growing from the top. But two side trunks have grown from the point where the main trunk meets the soil line. These off-shoots are now getting big, about a foot tall. They have really shot up over the past year or so. These side trunks have caused the main trunk to curve to one side. Should I remove them? If so, what is the best way to do so to avoid damaging the main plant? Can these side trunks be repotted?

I also rescued another NI Pine that isn't doing too well from a friend who inherited it when she moved into her house. This plant is about 2+ feet tall but it only has one level of branches near the top and a growing tip. All the bottom branches have fallen off. I am sure it needs a repotting because the soil has likely been in there for many years and it looks crusty. The branches are a bit droopy. I can repot it but I am concerned about the tall bare trunk. Any suggestions for bringing it back to health? Thanks.

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Comments (3)

liv2learn
Original Author
17 years ago
Addendum: I should have said these NI pines are growing inside in a south-facing room but not directly in front of the window.
willcreed
17 years ago
Hi there,

I am unclear as to why the side shoots are a problem. Does it really look bad that the main trunk is curving to one side? Would re-positioning the rootball in the pot straightened it out? Do the side shoots provide some added fullness? If you were to email a photo to my address above, I might be able to make some specific suggestions.

If you remove the side plants, the only way they can survive is if you divide the rootball. That is a tricky and stressful procedure and you may jeopardize the main plant if you do that. If the side shoots are really a problem, then just cut them off at the base and discard them.

It recommend against repotting your rescued NIP. It has been under enough stress already, probably from neglect and lack of water. That would explain the crustiness of the soil. I suggest that you loosen up the existing soil. Water it slowly so that is is re-wetted. Provide a consistent environment with proper water and light and it should make a slow recovery. However, it will never replace the lower branches that it has already lost. All new growth will be at the top. I'm afraid you will have to live with the bare lower trunk.

Let me know if any of this is unclear.

Will Creed
Indoor landscaper
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Amccour, aside from how you treat the trunks, remember the Norfolk Island Pine is a tree that should be given space to grow. In a few years if you feel your ceiling is preventing it going up any futher, cutting it back at the top stops it growing....forever. Try to remove minimally any side branches because this is the beauty of the tree. Norfolk Island Pine is a living Christmas Tree...but don't consider putting tree lights on it. Tenderly hanging light decorations and tinsel is OK. Norfolk Island Pine is also a tree that must be kept a houseplant unless you reside in zone 9 or 10....and 9 can be iffy. Actually, some people say the best place to grow a Norfolk Island Pine.......is on Norfolk Island in the South Pacific. Your plant should be allowed to dry down somewhat between waterings and it will use a lot less water now when the sun is at its lowest. It will not appreciate too cold of water...so letting it sit overnight to gain room temperature is recommended. And don't let the branches touch the cold window glass. And water should not be from a well that is treated. As long as it is receiving light from a southern or western exposure it should do fine. Senga, you mention your room where you have your N.I.P. has a humidity level of 60 - 70%..... Is this by way of measurement of a hygrometer or just an estimate of what you think it is. The way I figure such a high level as that I suspect the walls and windows must be running down with moisture drops constantly. Thirty-five to forty percent is a common level of a home with a furnace on recording a temperature of 65 - 70Âº I'm just curious why you would have such a high humidity in a room. How do you attain such humidity. It speaks of running a humidifier to reach such level. Does this not cause problems of many sorts from other rooms as well.
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i have a 7' one, and the one yr i moved it outside for the summer it grew a foot! (it was about 5' when i got it about 10 yrs ago). after that i didn't take it outside again because i figured in just a couple yrs i wouldn't have room, and the growth has slowed dramatically. it's fairly happy, but will drop branchlets, and eventually branches if i let it get too wet or dry. as it doesn't replace them except at the top, it's better to pay attention and be faithful at watering. it's really a gorgeous carefree plant, though, and though i have battled mites, scale and mealy bugs on some of my plants in the past it has never gotten any of the 3. which is good because it'd be the devil to try and treat. my parrots like to sit in it. i'd highly recommend them. oh, and i don't recall it pouting too much when i moved it inside that yr, either. my small one doesn't, and it goes out every yr. tammy
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Hi, this may not be the right forum but it's a " tree in a pot" question so I'll give it a go.. The norfolks I have came 3 trunks to a pot. Should I separate them while they are still small ( about an inch) or just let them continue to grow as a group? I have another that's about a foot tall but the roots may be too intertwined to separate. Also any thoughts on soil or mixes that they seem to prefer? Thanks
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liv2learn
Original Author
17 years ago
I thought I read somewhere that these off-shoots would take away from the vitality of the main trunk being that the NI Pine is a single-stem type of plant. Perhaps that is incorrect? There is the problem that the plant has become sort of v-shaped with the main trunk forming a "C" shape as it bends around the off-shoots. In time, the off-shoots will get much taller and instead of being a tree-shape, the plant will be a v-shape.

I will do as you suggest for the rescue plant. I am leaning towards adding a small bit of top-soil once I have broken up the existing crust so that the bottom of the trunk is not so exposed.

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