My Vanderwolf Limber Pin Branches Are Beginning To Droop And…
Eddie Asked
My Vanderwolf limber pin branches are beginning to droop and turn down; it was planted this spring.
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Eddie in Washington: There is always a certain amount of transplant shock involved when we add new additions to the garden. Vanderwolf’s Pyramid is a cultivar of Pinus flexilis, commonly known as a limber pine. This evergreen is a slow grower, reaching 20-25 feet tall and 10-15 feet wide at maturity. The foliage is bluish-green with twisted needles. These pines will perform best when planted in a space where they will receive at least six hours of sunlight each day. They are adaptable to soil conditions but prefer moist, well-drained sites. Make sure your pine is not being over-watered and avoid fertilizing for the first year. Have you noticed any discoloration of the foliage? If the end of the tips are yellow then it is most likely a moisture/stress issue. At this point you will want to check the moisture level around the root ball. You can do this by sticking your finger in the soil at least a couple of inches. If it is soggy then you will want to dig up the plant and re-work the soil by adding a few inches of compost to help elevate the planting site and improve the drainage. Another option would be to dig it up and move it to another location. If the soil is bone-dry then you will want to give it a good soaking and be mindful about keeping the soil consistently moist. If this does not seem to make a difference in the appearance of your evergreen you should take a sample to your county Extension office to have the horticulture agent take a look just to be certain you are not dealing with an insect issue.
