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Conifer watering and pruning advice

#1 · 24th June 2022, 6:24 pm

Hi,

How often should I water a large potted conifer tree and can I cut off the brown branches?

Many thanks

#2 · 27th June 2022, 6:23 pm

Hello Toula,

How old is your conifer? When younger trees are first planted they require a more frequent watering, the browning off of branches can be caused by a number of things, not enough water, waterlogging, your tree siting in an exposed position and getting a drying wind to that section of the tree, the same as we get sun burnt.

Dig down the side of its container, as deep as possible, and should the compost be dry, give your conifer a good watering, may I suggest that the watering be carried out slowly, rain water is best for watering, but to get a thorough watering right into the root system, just get a little flow/trickle from your hose and let the water run into your pot for a good 10 minutes or so or if a big pot even longer, this to allow the water to get to the centre of the root system.

Where the browning off has occurred, scrape back a little bark, if underneath the bark is hard and brown, it's dead remove the branch and others if they are the same, if there is a little green under the bark, there is life in the branch, so re growth may be possible, but it may take a considerable time.

Regarding watering, this is dependant upon, tree size, new or established, size of pot, does your pot sit in sun all day, lots of factors just try to keep the compost moist all the way through the container, not just on top, don't get it waterlogged.

Bob

#3 · 25th July 2022, 9:50 am

Quote from Toula on 24th June 2022, 6:24 pm
Hi,
How often should I water a large potted conifer tree and can I cut off the brown branches?
Many thanks

Hi Toula,

Thanks for your question. One thing to bear in mind with any conifer pruning is that conifers don't regenerate from old brown wood. So if you cut back to brown wood or remove a brown branch it will not regrow.

So worthwhile bearing in mind when cutting, pruning or trimming.

In terms of watering Bob's advice is correct. Sometimes a large saucer under a pot is a good way to ensure they stay hydrated. They don't want to be waterlogged but not bone dry either. You can read and watch more on my gardening watering tips here.