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Pinus strobus 'Blue Shag'

Blue Shag Eastern White Pine

Plant Family:

Pinaceae

Med - Lg Shrub (usually >3' and never < 1.5')

Flower:

No Flower

Blooms :

to:

Botanical Description

Fragrant?

No

Foliage:

Green

Evergreen

Pat Kolling

Short, blue green needles in bundles of 5 are soft to the touch

Oregon Native?

No

West State Native?

No

Southern Canada from Manitoba to Newfoundland, throughout the northern and eastern states from Minnesota and northern Iowa to the Atlantic coast, and southward along the Appalachian mountains to northern Georgia and Alabama

Site Selection

Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:

3

Water Needs:

M

Sun Needs:

Partial Sun

Deer Resistant?

No

Firewise?

No

Height:

2-4'

Spread:

2-4'

Growth Rate:

Slow

Native Habitat:

Soil:

Prefers fertile, acidic, medium moisture, well-drained soil; Intolerant of compacted, clayey soils, alkaline conditions

Care Recommendations

Maintenance Level:

Low

Fertilizer:

Mulch:

Long Term:

Most conifers require little pruning. They are generally pruned for shape or to remove unwanted branches. It is important to distinguish between pruning tree branches and pruning or trimming candles. Avoid pruning while pitch moths are active. Best to p

Winter:

Pruning a tree during dormant season (e.g., late winter/early spring) will help the tree focus on strong shoots that grow rapidly - especially on the most severely pruned limbs. If you trim last year?s growth in February/March (which would likely include

Spring:

Avoid pruning while pitch moths are active. Best to prune Oct - Feb.

Summer:

The candles can be pinched off or trimmed by 1/3 to 2/3 to limit the tree's yearly growth. Trimming the candles will encourage a�denser growth, since by the end of that�growing season, new terminal buds will have formed at the cut ends. �Next year?s grow

Fall:

Avoid pruning while pitch moths are active. Best to prune Oct - Feb.

Common Problems

Species of Ribes (e.g., currants and gooseberries) are the alternate host for white pine blister rust and should not be planted in areas where white pines are under attack.

Diseases:

White pine blister rust could be a problem.

Insects:

White pine beetle

Also called:

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