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Norfolk Pine

Instead of a Christmas tree some may opt for a Norfolk pine (Araucaria heterophylla)which is usually available in stores before Christmas. It may be sold plain or decorated to serve as an alternate mini Christmas tree for those with little space. Once the holiday is over, the Norfolk pine can double as a patio or long-lasting houseplant.
Norfolk Island pine

Norfolk pine, belongs to the ancient genus of evergreen conifers, Araucaria, which includes the newly discovered extinct Wollemi pine. It is hardy in zone 10-11. In the wild this semi-tropical tree can get up to 200 ft. tall and grows a massive straight tree trunk with symmetrical lateral branches that produce an impressive sight in the landscape; but when grown indoors as a potted houseplant the diminutive version usually grows up to 8 ft. tall.
Norfolk pines

Care

Indoors, provide a cool, bright filtered light, humid environment with temperatures of 60-72F during the day and slightly cooler at night. They prefer a few hours of direct sun but can adapt to bright indirect light. Be sure to rotate the plant to maintain a symmetric shape and keep the plant from leaning over to one side. They also need 50% humidity which can be difficult to provide during the dry heating season in winter. Some ways to increase humidity is to run a humidifier or if possible use a pebble tray filled with water. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry and let the water drain from the bottom. Do not let it stand in water or saturate the soil, over watering will cause bright yellow needles that eventually fall off. Conversely, keeping the plant too dry with low humidity will cause brown tips. Keep it away from heating vents or cold drafts which can dry out the needles.
Feed your plant when it is actively growing (not winter) with a balanced houseplant fertilizer. Feed new, younger plants every 4-6 months and older plants every 3-4 months.
Repot every 3-4 years.
Prune only brown dead lower branches. Do not cut off the growing tips. If the growing top is damaged, it will not be replaced and you will get a misshapen tree.
Pests: Common pests that attack Norfolk pines are spider mites, scale and mealybugs.

Did you know: In nature, Norfolk pine cones take 18 months to mature, then breaks down and the scales produce edible seeds that Green parrots favor.

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66 comments to Norfolk Pine

  • Mary

    I have beautiful, healthy Norfolk Pine that has grown close to 7ft tall & about 6ft around. Can I trim off the top without causing damage to this tree?? I live in IN and movnig this plant into the house for winter is becoming more difficult each year.

    Unfortunately, Norfolk Pine do not take well to pruning. Cut away only the lower dead branches. If you prune any growing tips you will loose the trees symmetry and will not get new growth. If you trim the tip you’ll have an mishappen tree. Perhaps you have a friend that has a large room for a new plant??

  • Robert Moore

    Comment on Plant & Gardening Tips, for topI HAVE A NORFOLK PINE INDOORS AND WOULD LIKE TO TRANSPLANT IT OUTDOORS. I LIVE IN CENTRAL FLORIDA. HOW DO I DO IT?

    If you are in zone 10-11 and temperatures don’t get below 40 degrees, then you can plant it outdoors. Central Fla. is in zone 9 with an average min. temperatures of 2-30F. A protected micro-climate near water, in zone 9 may work but a cold snap of below 40 degrees will cause the tree to turn yellow. Before planting, slowly acclimate the plant to the outdoors . Plant it in soil that has good drainage. Dig a hole that is 2x wider than the container and as deep as the height of the root ball-no deeper. The tree should be at soil level or slightly above. Fill with existing soil and tap on soil to firm and remove air pockets. Water thoroughly and mulch to maintain even moisture. Young trees should not be allowed to dry especially in drought conditions. If needed, stake the tree to provide support. For additional info..go to edis.ifas.ufil.edu/

  • S. Bryant

    I have 4 Norfolk Pines that are currently growing in the same pot and I would like to separate them… any ideas on how to do this safely? I didn’t know if just making sure the soil was moist before trying would be enough. These Pines are still all under 3 – 4 feet tall. Any tips would be appreciated, thanks!

    The best time to separate your plant is in the spring. To divide and repot your plant ,water earlier in the day to hydrate it. Fill the bottom of your pots with a small amount of dampened (not wet) potting soil mix. Use fresh well drained soil specially formulated for house plants. Carefully knock the plant out of the pot and gently separate the 4 plants noting how much of a root structure each plant has. Each plant should have a healthy root system in order to survive. Quickly place each plant into its pot. Position it at the same soil level it was growing in and fill with more soil up to 1/2 – 1 inch from the rim of the pot. Water thoroughly, allowing the water to drain. When repotting be sure to work quickly to keep the roots from drying out. Place the new plants in a semi shaded area for a week or more to give it time to recuperate from transplanting.

  • A. HOWARD

    I HAVE A NORFOLK PINE AND THE BRANCHES ARE CURLING UNDER AND DRYING UP. THEY ARE NOT BROWN BUT ARE FALLING OFF WHEN DISTURBED. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG? HOW CAN I PREVENT THIS?

    You may be keeping your Norfolk pine too dry. Give your plant a good soaking, water it with tepid water or place it (if you can) in the shower and let it absorb some of the moisture thru its needles. To increase humidity around the plant mist with water and place it on a pebble tray. The hot, dry air indoors is difficult for Norfolk to endure

    .

  • Doug healy

    Excellent. Thank you so much for your contribution. Very good information

  • Dottie Ratterree

    PRUNING NORFOLK PINE
    I live in Old Town, Florida. I have several Norfolk pines in my yard. We just had a cold front and 6 inches of the tip were burned. Is it OK to cut the burned tips off without damaging the tree?

    Norfolk pine don’t take well to pruning. Once the tip turns brown it is dead and you will have to cut it off. Unfortunately, the pruned spot will not produce any new growth. Wait and see how bad the frost damaged your tree ,then cut off only what is neccessary. The tip is the growing point of your tree and once you cut that your tree will still grow sideways but not upright. Your tree will be misshapen. Sometimes a tree can send out another tip from a different growing point

    .

  • Jennifer

    I inherited a 10′ Norfolk pine and for two years it was fine. About two months ago it slowed drinking and the branches were turning brown and falling off. This week I moved it and discovered – it smells horrid/incredibly rancid! I am draining out the excess water (sopping it up with new clean towels incerted twice/day along the drain pan for two days now) to help it as fast as I can. What is going wrong? And what do I do, I LOVE this plant – I named him “Herman” as in Munster, due to its size.

    I’m afraid the plant was waterlogged and doesn’t have adequate drainage causing root rot (rancid smell). With too much water there is no oxygen in the soil and the roots can’t breathe. Dry out the plant and be sure the water drains freely from the bottom of the container. You may have to either repot or add some fresh soil to improve the drainage problem.

  • Jennifer

    Thanks for the tip for “Herman” my big Norfolk pine! I let it dry out, repotted with a 3″ layer of pebble on the bottom first (to prevent root rot from coming back) then used Miracle Grow nutrient rich Indoor-plant potting soil, and fed it with “SUPER Thrive” which was recommended by the nursery. Thank you very much…I think he’ll make it now!

    HI Jennifer
    Don’t feed Herman too much. the new soil already has some nutrients in it and since the roots are damaged, they are incapable of absorbing nutrients. Give them time to re-grow. Once you see new life in the tree then fertilize.

  • MELISSA

    We live in Melbourne Australia and are suffering from a very long drought can you advise the root structure of a Norfolk Pine. Are they as deep as they are tall or are they more prostrate.
    We are having trouble with our home moving due to the lack of rain and our Norfolk Pine tree is 30 years old and at least 15metres tall… We are trying to establish if this tree could also be doing damage to our structure.
    Many thanks Melissa

    Hi Melissa,
    The roots are more prostrate, extending far beyond the drip line of the branches. Roots will often go deeper in search of water. Check out this site http://www.archicentre.com.au/survival_kit/cracking_brick.pdf it may be of some help to you.

  • Nancy

    I have had my Norfolk pine since March, and it was doing well until about a month ago. It is in a window that gets hot afternoon sun (unfortunately there is no other window I can move it to) so I began to water it more frequently when I noticed that the soil was drying more quickly. Now the branches are turning brown and falling off. I have cut back on watering but the browning is continuing. I also notice a greyish film starting to cover some of the branches? Is this evidence of spider mites? What can I do to try to save my tree? Thank you.

    Browning edges usually indicate not enough water and lack of humidity, if the plant was yellowing and dropping needles inside then its getting too much water. Check the soil(stick your finger into the soil) and water when the top inch is dry. Your soil may be so dry that the water runs right through it and doesn’t allow the roots to absorb any moisture. If so, allow the plant to sit in the water for 1/2 hour and then drain any excess. A western exposure (hot afternoon sun) is not the ideal spot. If its possible, place it outdoors for the summer in a semi shaded area. If this grayish film or “off color” has some fine silky webbing on it, then you may have spider mites, one of the common pests of Norfolk pines. One treatment a Florida entomologist recommended is to spray the plant with 1% of olive oil and 1% dishdetergent mixed with water.

  • Jim

    We live in El Paso, Texas and have kept a Norfolk Pine in our garden room since 1992. It is now a little over 6 feet tall with droopy foliage at the top and a long trunk. As it was a gift when my father died, I’d like to try to save it. Is there a way to air root it and start a new tree and perhaps bonsai it?

    Yes, you can air layer the growing tip. It will take a few months to develop roots. Here’s a link http://coop.co.pinellas.fl.us/Commhort/publications/propagation.htm

  • Cindy

    I have a large potted Norfolk pine on an outside porch, I live in Ohio and need to put it in my garage for the winter. Should I burlap it? How much should I water it in the winter? Thanks!

    Norfolk pines are tropical evergreens and can tolerate temepratures to 45 degrees. They will need bright indirect light and cooler temperatures during the winter. I think you need to find a space indoors as it will survive not in the garage. Place your plant in a shaded area for a few weeks before bringing it indoors to acclimate it to lower indoor light conditions.

  • cheryl

    I live in Bakersfield California and purchased my first Norfolk Island Palm at the Grocery store, it’s beautiful. I know its hot and dry on the patio even in the shade outdoors. Question is how do I keep it alive in the house all seasons? thank you.

    Give it the same conditions as a houseplant. They like cool, filtered light and high humidity. I would imagine that the plant would be fine outdoors during the winter as long as the temperatures don’t get below 40 degrees. If the summer gets too hot move it indoors or a shaded spot. Be sure to water it regularily on hot days

    .

  • max anderson

    I HAVE A GREAT NORFOLK PINE TREE IN MY BACK YARD. IT IS 12 YEARS OLD AND NOW STANDS APPROX 15 MTRS . I LIVE IN THE STATE OF QUEENSLAND IN AUSTRALIA.WE HAVE MANY NORFOLK PINES IN OUR TOWN AND SURROUNDING AREA AND MY QUESTION IS ,WE LIVE IN A CYCLONIC ZONE PLACE AND CAN GET QUIET GUSTY AND WINDY BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN A TREE BLOWN OVER YET PLENTY OF OTHER SPIECES OF TREES HAVE .IS THERE ANY REASON FO THIS SUCH AS THEIR ROOT SYSTEM .

    Norfolk pine has a shallow wide root system that thrives in deep sand. It is wind resistant because its structure. It adjusts its growth to wind velocity, thereby adjusting to the environment. That’s why the older trees can be misshapen or “deformed” when growing in a windy location. They will blow over in a hurricane especially if the roots aren’t deep enough.

  • Ruby Duhamel

    Sadly, my aunt just passed away at Yule and I have been named caretaker of her Norfolk Pine. I have been told that they do not do well when within close proximity to other house plants. I would like to know if this is true and if so, which plants give them grief and how far away is tolerable? Thanks for your help. Ruby Duhamel

    My condolenceses on the loss of your Aunt. Houseplants are grouped together because they increase the humidity around them which they need . The only time you need to be careful is when one of the houseplant is infested with insects, then you need to isolate the infested plant from all the others to keep the problem from spreading.

  • joanne ayres

    Hi ‘ I live on the mid eastern coast of australia and have a healthy 20ft. norfolk pine in my front garden right where I want to put a swimming pool . My daughter would like me to dig it up to transplant to her home. I would like to know the best way to successfully do this I have a small excavator and bob cat at my disposal to use for this project. could you please give me some advice as to how deep/ wide I need to dig to move it with minimal damage.
    thanks Joanne.

    Hi Joanne
    The best rule of thumb I have found was to measure the diameter of the tree. For each 1 inch dia. dig a hole 12″ wide (1ft) and 6″ deep. Therefore, if you have a 5 inch diameter dig a hole wide 60″ (5 ft) and 30″ (2 1/2ft) deep. Dig the hole 2x the size of the rootball and amend the soil for good drainage. It’s best to do this when the tree is dormant late winter. Be sure to keep the plant well watered after transplanting.

  • Linda


    FROST DAMAGE

    I have (had?) a lovely small Norfolk Pine, about 3.5 ft tall with lush green branches. I was in the process of moving, so put it out on the patio for a couple of nights and I know it got too cold. Now the upper 2/3 of the tree is a brownish-gold color, but the needles do not appear dry. I’m sure this is freeze damage — Washington DC — but I’m wondering if it can be saved. It’s inside now. The bottom 1/3 of plant looks pretty good. Will the upper branches fall off eventually or should they be pruned with the hope of saving the rest and possible regrowth. I hate that this happened as it was such a pretty little tree and I want to save it, if at all possible.

    If it was frost damage the needles will eventually drop. It’s a matter of time. Norfolk pine do not take well to pruning and will result in a misshappen tree. Wait and see what the top 2/3 is going to do, if it dries up then I would give up on the tree. It may not be worth the effort. Also see above comment about pruning on 2/26/07

  • Linda

    Well, I’m crossing my fingers. I could always just have a “golden Norfolk pine“…is it possible that it would go back to green if it’s NOT frost damage?

    Once it starts to turn yellow, it will not revert back. Eventually, the needle will dry out and drop. If it was a case of chlorosis (lack of iron) then a plant can be “greened” up with nutrients. Sorry, can’t give you better news. You can always spray it green (ha, ha)

  • kathleen

    I have a 23 year old Norfolk Pine which is about 9 1/2 feet tall. It is very healthy and has lots of new growth. I’m moving and may not be able to take it due to its size and the fact that it may not get proper light. (Yes, I am totally attached to it and want to take it) I have three questions.

    1) it’s in a pot that is 17″ in diameter and 15″ tall. If I can keep it, does it need to be repotted (I haved read that they do not mind being root restricted.)

    2) I have a chance to take it to be planted in my friend’s yard in Houston, about a four hour drive away. Any suggestions on how to transport it and if it would make it in the heat?

    3) If I can get it there, would it survive being transplanted in the Texas summer or should we wait? The yard is pretty shady with filtered light coming through other trees all day.

    Hi Kathleen
    Wow 23 years old that’s a long time to keep a potted Norfolk Pine. It is hardy in zone 10-11 and Houston, Tx is zone 9a so planting it outdoors would be pushing the limit on hardiness. If you want to try, plant it in a protected area (microclimate) away from wind with winter sun. Early spring or fall would be the best time to transplant as summer may be too hot for the tree to acclimate itself.
    When transporting try to gently gather the branches upward and tie them loosely, then wrap with burlap or cloth. This will keep the branches from loosing moisture and sustaining less damage in transport. Good luck. If all fails ask your neighbor if they would like to adopt your pine.

  • kathleen

    thank you so much. The ceilings in the new place are high, so I will try to take it. At this point, it would be hard to let go.

  • robyn

    I have a norfolk pine in a pot – it’s about 2ft high. It has one larger stem and about 3 smaller stems. should I cut off the smaller stems or divide them off somehow to have one larger plant or just leave it like a shrub?

    Hi Robyn
    You can separate the 3 smaller stems from the main one if you like as long as the plant is sending out new growth. Disturbing the roots can set it back. A better time is in the winter/spring before it starts to grow. If you don’t want to disturb the main stem then cut the 3 stems off. I have seen pots with several stems growing together and they make a nice full plant. It’s really is up to you as to what kind of look you want. The multi-stemmed pot will fill in faster and will need a larger container sooner.

  • Kim

    I have a small Pine about 3′ tall that was given to me, I keep it indoors. I am noticing some recent yellowing, I have had it 3 weeks and have not watered it yet, the soil still feels wet 1-2 inches from the top. I have misted it though every other day.

    Hi Kim
    It may be that the soil doesn’t drain well and there is poor root growth. Yellowing needles can indicate overwatering but since you haven’t watered in 3 wks., it sound like the soil isn’t drying out fast enough. Unless you live in a dry area, you don’t need to mist in the summer, there should be enough humidity in the air.
    Norfolk pine needs well drained soil and does not tolerate wet soil or standing water. If the soil is the problem, I would suggest repotting into a lighter soil such as 1/3 soil 1/3 peat moss and 1/3 perlite or sand or find a lighter soil mix. Once repotted(if you can) keep the plant in a cool, shaded spot outdoors until the weather get cold. It will enjoy the vacation outdoors.

  • stacy creyer

    6 YEARS AGO I WAS GIVEN “NORDY” MY NORFOLK PINE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST FERTILIZER FOR IT. 10-6-6? DOES IT NEED AN ACID BASE FERTILIZER?

    Hi Stacy
    A balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 with micro nutirents works best. According to Col. State U., it prefers a slightly acid soil (ph 4.5-5.5) . Most sources recommend using a regular balanced houseplant fertilizer. If you check the ph of the soil you may find that the soil may be acidic enough not to require additional acid.

  • kendra

    HI, I HAVE A 5 FT. INDOOR NORFOLK PINE AND IT HAS BEEN HAPPY FOR MANY YEARS. NOW IT HAS NOT GROWN ITS YEARLY NEW LAYER AND HAS LOST ITS LUSTER. THE NEEDLES ARE DULL. THERE ARE VERY SMALL WHITE BUGS CRAWLING AROUND IN THE SOIL. ALSO IT HAS LOST A LOT OF LOWER BRANCHES. ANY IDEA OF WHAT KIND OF BUGS THEY ARE AND HOW I CAN GET RID OF THEM. I DON’T WANT HIM TO DIE, I LOVE MY TREE. THANKYOU!!!!

    Hi Kendra
    Do the small whitish bugs also fly?

  • kendra

    I HAVE NOT ACTUALLY SEEN THEM FLY. THEY LOOK SILVERISH WHITE. VERY TINY AND CRAWLING AROUND. I THINK THAT THEY HAVE WINGS. SORRY THIS IS KINDOF VAGUE BUT THEY ARE VERY HARD TO SEE AND I MOSTLY JUST SEE THE DAMAGE TO MY PLANT. IT USED TO BE VERY SHINY AND GREW A LOT, NOW IT IS VERY DULL AND HASN’T GROWN. THANKYOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP. I APPRECIATE IT.

    Hi Kendra
    Some of the lower leaf browning is caused by old age. I suspect that you may have fungus gnats in the soil. They thrive in moist soil and feed on decaying organic material. You might try the suggested treatment and let the soil dry out between watering.

  • Phyllis

    Hi-I have a Norfolk Pine, which I have had growing in a large pot since it was a baby. It was given to me on Christmas by my son. It’s lower branches dried out, turned brown & I cut them off. Now, I have a pine, a third of which is beautiful and the rest is trunk. It looks awful. Can I cut the trunk & re-root it or can I replant it with half of the trunk buried in the soil? My husband usually keeps it in his greenhouse during winter months, but this year, he said he wants to throw it out. I definitely want to keep it, but at this point, it is too big and most of it’s height is trunk. I live in Maryland. Thanks!!

    Hi Phyllis
    Unfortunately, you can’t do either . The trunk on your Norfolk pine will not re-root if cut or send out new roots from the buried trunk. The roots need oxygen to thrive and if its buried too deep it will eventually die. It is what it is. People usually kill it before it outgrows its environment. Perhaps someone with a high ceiling would like your pine. Put an add in the newspaper for a free Norfolk pine, there may still be a place for it somewhere.

  • Linda

    I have a Norfolk Pine that was given to my fiance 7 years ago, small enough to be potted in a coffee cup. It is now close to six foot tall, in a pot about 15″ diam. We put it on the front porch (facing north) in summer, and water maybe once a week-unless it rains, then it gets set off the porch, but never in a severe storm. I just brought it inside today after spraying for possible bugs. I noticed while doing so that there are white spots that look like old paint in some places, and some of them seem to have breaks in the branch under it. Do you have any idea what this might be? Has my spraying taken care of it? This is the first time I’ve noticed anything wrong with this tree–except the sunburn it got about 4 years ago when it got left on the south side while we were gone one day. Also, one of my granddaughters accidentally broke off the top growing tip on one of the two trunks it has–but the trunk is still growing, although not as quickly as the other..I’ve been told I’ll be homeless if I let this tree die. Please help! I live in Iowa, and know I cannot plant it outside, as much as I’d like to. Thanks..

    Hi Linda
    It doesn’t sound like an insect. It may be that the “white paint” on your Norfolk pine is sap that oozed out when the branch was damaged. The other possibility is that it is dried bird poop.

  • lester

    I’ve had my pot-grown Norfolk Island Pine for 15 years; it has a lovely shape but is now getting too tall (9 ft) to bring indoors for the winter without causing the tip of the tree to bend over (it lives in a shady spot outdoors from May to October). We live in central London (England) where the temperature rarely drops below freezing. Is it worth trying to wrap it in clear plastic and leaving it out in a sheltered spot next to the house over the winter? Or is that doomed to failure? We have a large (10 ft) pot-grown Chilean Araucaria which lives in a barrel outdoors unprotected all winter but I know those are more hardy.

    Hi Lester
    Minimum temperature for Norfolk pine is 40F (4.44C). It can tolerate temperatures as low as 32F (0C). You can try to wrap it in landscape fabric or burlap and keep it in a protected area away from cold winter winds. Clear plastic is not a good idea as heat & moisture can build up inside during the day and when the night temp drop cold damage will occur. It’s worth a try. Good luck

  • Laura

    I have a mature (40-50′tall) Norfolk Pine in my backyard in Culver City, CA. I am planning to build a breakfast nook and will have to dig a foot or so deep to pour the concrete walls for the crawl space. How near the trunk can I dig? If I cut a large root, will the tree be compromised?

    Hi Laura
    Any construction around a tree will cause root damage. Here are some basic facts: 95% of the tree roots are located in the top 3 feet of the soil, which most of the feeder roots in the top 6-10 inches. The roots can extend 2-3 times wider than the canopy. So if your tree is 40′ tall and spreads 30′, the tree roots can extend 60-90′ from the trunk.

  • Shanna

    Pruning Norfolk Pine

    We have a Norfolk Pine that will be too tall to fit in our greenhouse after the next growing season (~15′ tall and 15 years old). We are in zone 7b and don’t believe that it will survive a winter outdoors and would hate to throw it out, so I was wondering if it is possible to cut the top out of the tree to intentionally stop its growth? Would the tree die or continue to live, but not grow?

    Hi Shanna
    Norfolk pine do not take well to pruning. Once you cut the top off, the tree will either stop growing and die, grow from the side branches or send out another tip from a different growing point. At any rate, the tree will be misshapen and make an interesting experiment.

  • Nam

    Just wanted to give your readers some info on Lanai City, Hawaii.
    This little town in the Pacific has hundreds of mature Norfolk pines that were planted around 1910 so they are getting to be about 100 years old. Here is a link that has a few pictures of some of the trees. http://www.hawaiiweb.com/lanai/html/sites/Lanai_city.html

    And a brief history of the person that planted the trees. In a way he was the islands Johnny Apple Seed except he planted pine trees. http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Jul/08/il/FP707080302.html
    They were planted to reduce the winds that cut across the island, collect moisture from the breeze and provide shade to make the town more comfortable, planted on slopes they secured the land from erosian the hills from slipping. Having lived there with the trees I can say they made the town a great place to grow up.

    Thanks for the info!

  • jt

    I’ve had two Norfolk Pines for over 6 years. One was overwatered plus there were construction people coming in here working on the apartment. After they left, the plant just drooped horribly. I asked the nursery for help and they thought it was probably due to overwatering. Told me to repot it and add perlite to the soil so it would drain well and dry out faster. plus expose some of the top roots a bit to get some oxygen, as they thought I’d re-planted it a bit too deep. I did, plus mist it every day. It seemed to be getting better, however now the lower leaves are turning brown and brittle. The dirt feels wet to me, plus the needles have brown clumps that look sort of like dirt but it isn’t dirt. Is that a pest of some sort? The top, while droopy is healthy looking with new growth and there is some new growth offshooting from a lower skinny trunk. I love this plant and want it to make it. What can I do? Thank you.

    Hi Jt
    If the needles turn yellow and dropping ,then your plant is being overwatered. Lower branches will turn brown over time from aging and low light. In addition, brown tips and lower brown branches on a Norfolk pine is an indicator of dehydration or low humidity. Improve the moisture around the plant by misting, humidifier, pebble tray or grouping plants together. Trim off the lower brown stems.
    The bumps on the needles may be scale infestation. Look closely with a magnifying glass, scrape one with your fingernail, if it comes off then you have scale. One safe way to treat it is with a mixture of 1 part olive oil and 1 part dishsoap to 100 parts of water.

  • Kevin

    Hello I live in Sydney, Australia and we have a Norfolk Island Pine 10m high approx in the back garden. The top 4m of the tree is completely brown and has dropped most branches and foliage. Terrible as I love the tree. The lower part of the tree is a picture of health with lush green foliage and wide say 4.0 diameter branches. From reading up it sounds like the tree could be water logged. There may also be some pretty big, light brown gooey blobs of sap being dropped Im not sure. Has anyone got some advice on what the problem is and if it is waterlogged, what I could do to improve the situation? I would not really be able to uproot the thing to improve drainage as its too big. Does exposing the upper roots help as someone else advised?
    Any help would be greatfully accepted. Thanks Kevin.

    Hi Kevin
    It sounds like your Norfolk pine has more than one problem. The blobs of sap may indicate problems other than water logged roots. I would recommend that you contact the extension service or an arborist to examine the tree. Perhaps someone out there has more information on Norfolk pine disease. Sorry I can’t be of more help to you. Let me know what you find out.

  • Martha Salmonson

    My neighbor and I have 80′ side by side Norfolks and a hillside that may be slightly eroding over the years.We can see roots above the surface. In a high wind, are they in danger of falling over?

    HI Martha
    Anything is possible. If you are concerned, you should have an arborist check out the trees stability, especially if they are in harms way.

  • Donna Cunningham

    Good Day. E-mailing from Central Florida on the West Coast. We have a huge Norfolk Pine in our front yard (between 30′ – 50′. Just recently we had to put in a new drainfield which when they dug it, damaged some of the roots. The tree has developed some brown needles on the lower 1/3 of the tree. Can this species of tree survive root damage? Will it kill the entire tree? Also, kinda of worried about the roots and the new drainfield which runs not even 10′ in front of the tree. Just wondering what we can do as homeowners. THANKS

    • admin

      Hi Donna
      Anytime you have some construction around a tree, it may be liable to root damage. If not from cutting & tearing the roots to soil compaction from heavy equipment. Depending on the severerity of damage, the symptoms may be minimal at first but can continue to appear over several years. Because the tree is stressed it will also become susceptible to disease and insect
      attack. The best thing you can do for the tree is to provide ideal growing conditions so that it can regrow some of the damaged feeder roots which are usually in the top 6-10 inches. Make sure it gets enough water in dry weather conditons and fertilize with a root stimulant in eary spring.

  • Kelly

    Hi
    My grandfather recently passed and someone sent my family a potted Norfolk pine…well actually it’s four in the same pot; all of them are different sizes. No one in my family has a “green thumb” so partly due to our lack of knowledge and our luck, the big one (around 3 feet) is turning brown. All the sites I’ve looked at say that after it browns it’ll never be reversed. Also, some of the needles are really dry and sharp. Are these signs of dehydration, lack of nutrition, a need to be repotted, a lack of sunlight, or something else? And do I have to cut the brown sections off or will they miraculously recover?
    Thanks
    Kelly

    Hi Kelly
    The brown sections of your Norfolk pine will not recover, you will have to cut them off. The plants may be too crowded in the container and are competing for water and nutrients. Not knowing what this plant has been through, I think it needs more humidity indoors as well as a good watering. Brown needles usually indicate dry soil. Water when the top 1 inch of the soil feels dry and water enough so that it runs from the bottom of the pot. If the needles turn yellow and then brown then you’re overwatering. Keep the plant away from cold drafts and heating vents-a bright cool room is best. Your Norfolk pine may also have some insect issues.

  • Amy

    I recently inherited a Norfolk Island Pine approximately 4 ft. in height. My question pertains to pruning the side growth. The plant is awkwardly wide and does not resemble a tree in shape at all. Is there any way to successfully prune the side branches?
    Thanks,
    Amy

    Hi Amy
    Norfolk pine do not take well to pruning. Once you trim a branch it will not regrow. See the first comment by Mary about pruning.

  • i have a new baby NIP and the top stem tip broke off accidentally…will it continue to grow?

    It should continue to grow laterally (sideways). It may even send grow an alternative top stem that you may have to train.

  • Dyana

    I rescued a Norfolk Pine from a garbage dumpster about 4 or 5 years ago. It has been living happily at work, since then, and always seemed healthy. It is by a window facing south, and I live in New Jersey, so it is snowing outside right now. I water Norbert (we call him Norbert the Norfolk Pine), once a week. Just the past couple of days I have noticed that the branches are turning a golden brown. They always used to be a bright green. I guess Norbert’s days are soon up. Any advice?

    Hi Dyana
    If the needles are turning yellow then brown and dropping, that is an indicator that your are overwatering the plant.

  • Dyana

    I rescued a Norfolk Pine from a dumpster about 4 or 5 years ago, and brought it to work. I has resided happily next to a front full length window next to a door for all this time. A few days ago, I noticed that the needles that were once bright green, are now starting to turn a golden brown color. Not the same as the few dry tannish brown needles at the bottom of the tree (those are brittle and need to be cut off). These golden brownish needles are not dried out, but definately a peculiar color. I name the tree Norbert the Norfolk Pine. Are Norbert’s days numbered? I water Norbert once a week, just enough that a little comes through the bottom of the pot. Could it be that my boss put the tree in the garage for 2 days on December 17th? Please advise. Thanks!

    HI Dyana
    If the garage was too cold, your Norfolk pine could have sustained cold damage which results in needle discoloration. I would wait and see. If the whole tree turns an odd color and needles start to drop then its a gonner.

  • Bob

    I have inherited a NIP that had outgrown the space it grew up in and now is given to me. It is 15 -16 ft and pushes the boundaries of our entry way. I cannot let it get any taller as it will abut a chandelier. I see from the posts that it does not tolerate pruning well but what option would I have? It will receive limited direct light but likely adequate indirect light in its new environment.

    Hi Bob
    There aren’t any options. If the plant is too large to keep in you home perhaps you can find a business such as a mall or office that would adopt your Norfolk pine. They need bright indirect light and tolerate some direct light. As a last resort, you can cut the tip off and have a misshapen tree.

  • Sister St. Herman

    I have 4 Norfolk Pine trees used to decorate the Church. I have had them about 2 weeks before Christmas and they were doing fine until this week. They are curling and branches are drooping. I am sad about this. The only thing I can see after reading all the coments you have–is that they might be over-watered. Will they come back if I hold off watering for a time. Thanks. God Bless.

    Hi Sister
    Curling and drooping brown branches are an indicator that the plants were either kept too dry or need more humidity. Overwatered Norfolk pine will have yellowing needles before they turn brown. Check the soil moisture by sticking your finger into the soil. If the top 2 inches are dry then give the plant a good watering (until it drains from the bottom of the pot) . Once the weather warms up, (if possible) place the Norfolk pines outdoors. They will enjoy a summer vacation outside.

  • I have a huge Norfolk Pine about five feet from my home. It is starting to curve and my husband is afraid it will fall over. Is that possible? It is very healthy and very full. It is about fifty feet , how much bigger will it get?

    Hi Linda
    Norfolk pine in nature can get up to 200 ft. tall.

  • My Norfork pine is about five feet from my home and is about fifty feet tall. Is there a problem with the root system because it is so close to my home?

    Hi Linda
    The roots on a Norfolk pine can extend 2-3 times than the canopy. So if your tree is 25ft. wide the roots will extend 50 to 75ft. I cannot tell you if there is a problem with the roots. If there are visible signs such as the walkway pushing up then you may have a problem. Tree roots can redirect to find nutrients. If you are concerned about the tree falling or the roots affecting your foundation then you should call an arborist and have them access the situation. Here’s some more info on foundation cracking caused by trees. Sorry, that I can’t be of more help to you. Perhaps someone out there can give us more information

    .

  • Carole

    I have a Norfolk Pine tree that is 6ft tall, it is 30 years old. We have finally moved to our own house and I would like to plant it outside. We live in Louisiana close to Baton Rouge. We do have freezing temps in the winter. Will our tree be okay to plant outside.

    HI Carole
    Norfolk pine is hardy in zone 10 (30-40F), Baton Rouge is in zone 9. It’s a gamble, but if its in a protected area away from winter winds, it may be ok outside.

  • Corinne Erb

    I have had a Norfolk pine for about 10 years and it is only about 3 feet tall. The bottom part of the trunk has turned brown but it is still putting out new growth. What is wrong with it and what can I do to save it. Can I make a cutting to reroot it?

    Hi Corinne
    I’m not sure if there is something wrong with it. Is the browned part a depressed sunken area? You can take a cutting and try to start a new plant.

  • hola buen dia, necesito por favor que me ayuden sobre un pino que tengo no le se el nombre lo que se que fino y delgado y alto, es el que bota las piñitas, lo tengo en la puerta de mi casa a la entrada mi casa le entra clarida mas no el sol directamente, el clima en venezuela sobre todo en punto fijo estado falcon es caliente de no te digo el grado porque no lo se, y se me esta pòniendo las hojas de dcolor marron, secas y se les cae solo que hare por favor ayudenme me costo mucho y son dos e visto unas telas de arañas no se de que es eso

  • Dyana

    About a month ago, it was a sunny day outside, so I put our office Norfolk Pine outside to get some sunshine. I wasn’t even thinking that it was probably in the 30s outside that day. 3 days later the needles on the top part of the branches started to turn a golden brown. I realized then (3 days later), that it was probably too cold outside for the tree, and that I had probably killed it. Some of the “fingers” of the branches have since dried up and fallen off, but about half of the tree is still green. Mostly the golden brown color is on the top of the branches and underneath the branches is still green. There is about 2 inches of new growth starting at the top of the trees (I think there are 4 trees in the pot). Do you think this tree(s) has a chance?

    Hi Dyana
    It sounds like your Norfolk pines are not completely dead and have some life to it. The sections that have fallen off will not regrow. The question is – do you want to look at/keep a plant that is misshappen and scrawny looking? Perhaps there is one out of the 4 in the pot that is less damaged and can be salvaged.

  • Erica

    Hello! I bought a Norfolk Pine a couple of months ago, at about 10″. It was very green, lush, and full, though on closer inspection it was not one tree, but nine. Recently, eight of the nine have started curling up and turning a duskier green; the ninth stayed bright and of a normal texture (his name is now Happy). Happy was near the edge of the pot, and the rest were crowded together, so I thought repotting them might help, since it was hard to water them equally. They are now three to a pot; however, the only soil I could repot them with was Miracle-Gro Moisture Control. I read that they might become prone to root rot because of this soil; is it something I need to watch out for? I want all nine (even little Tilly, who is only 4″ tall and is rather bent-backed) to survive and hopefully thrive.

    Two last comments: After seperating them, I’d noticed that they had been pruned in order to fit nine to a pot. I don’t understand this in the least; in any case, it’s something to look out for when buying one (I’m happy with my special pines). Also, after repotting, I noticed that some of them have very bent trunks (like little Tilly). Is this a problem?

    Thank you for your time!

  • Jess

    Hi, I have a 4 or 5 year old Norfolk Pine that I need to repot, it is still in the original container. It is about 2 1/2 feet tall, how big should the new pot be? The current one is probably only about 11 inches in diameter and 9 inches tall. Thanks for your help!

    Hi Jess
    The general rule of thumb for repotting plants is 1-2 inches larger-no larger.

  • Christa

    I have 3 norfolk pines that are about 15 years old. When I moved to CO from CT about 8 years ago these hardy plants all survived the long drive out in the car and about 3 years after I was here I noticed they were starting to turn brown. A local gardener told me to create a “humidity” tray for the plants. Meaning to fill the saucer with small rocks and keep wet. I have done this religiously for years and now two of the plants have gotten SO big I call them my little monsters. :-)

    They got so big in fact that I needed to repot them which I did, however to get one of the plants out of the container I had to cut the roots and am VERY concerned about the effects of this. The repotting was several days ago and all seems to be well but I’m worried that I may have hurt my baby! I actually replanted one of the smaller plants in with the larger and hope this was OK too. I’ve had these plants together for years and they are like a little family so I hope they’ll be OK. Any feedback would be appreciated!
    Thank you!

    Hi Christa
    Pamper you Norfolk pine for a while. Make sure it doesn’t dry out and keep it in semi-shade for a few weeks until it recovers. You can also water it with a root stimulant (optional) to help it regrow new roots faster. When it looks like it’s recovering, you can move it outdoors into a shaded area. It may enjoy the warmth (not too hot)and humidity of summertime.
    It was a good idea to replant the smaller one into a separate pot-this way it will not have to compete with the other plant.

  • Alisha

    Hello. I have a 9 feet tall Norfolk in my front yard, very close to my house. Do you think it is possible to move it without killing it? We are not in a position to hire a professional. The tree is beautiful and I really want to keep it. It’s very unfortunate that the previous owner chose this spot. Thanks!

  • joan

    Fungus gnats
    My tree has been turning brown and I have checked the water and it seems fine – what I did notice now are small wormlike crawling in the soil – I dumped out the soil but don’t know what to do now. will you please help. This was a Christmas gift. thanks

    Hi Joan
    I suspect that your Norfolk pine soil was kept too wet. The wormlike insects may be larvae from fungus gnats which thrive in moist soil. If the lower leaves are turning brown -not the whole tree, then you can repot it in fresh well drained soil. Keep it in a shaded area until it recovers from transplanting. If you can move it outside, it will enjoy the humid summer outdoors in the shade.

  • Pam Sebastian

    I have a Norfolk Pine in an 18 inch pot and live in Central New York. He has been very happy in my sunroom but as he’s now about 4.5 ft. tall I moved him to our outside deck 2 weeks ago (morning and afternoon sun which is what he got in the sun room). We had a few very hot days in the 80’s and now it’s been in the 70’s with alot of rain. I only watered every 2 to 3 weeks when he was in the sun room and he was VERY healty! Two days ago I noticed almost all of the branches have brown tips. I don’t want to lose him, please help!!

    Hi Pam
    Your Norfolk pine is not happy with the change in environment. Eventhough morning sun and aft. sun was the same, there is a big difference in light intensity when the plant is indoors vs outdoors. It needs time to acclimate to higher light intensity. Brown tips occur from dry soil, being outdoors with higher light intensity and heat, the plant will dry out much faster than indoors and requires more water. Try to keep the plant in a protected area and keep the soil moist but not wet. Make sure the plant is not sitting in water during this rainy spell.

  • Michele Legere

    My mom has a norfolk pine here in Diamondhead, Mississippi and was wondering about transplanting it into the ground? It is about 5 feet tall. Do you recommend this to be done?

    Hi Michele
    Norfolk pine is hardy in zone 10-11. Mississippi is in zone 8, it would not survive the winter outside.

  • marshall obrien

    I have a norfolk pine, 32 years old. we transplanted it to a considerably larger pot, with a drainage basin and a large air tube that goes to the top out of the soil, about 3 months ago. Before so it was doing alright assuming we were consistent with watering it. Now there are very dark brownish spots enveloping pretty much all of the branches (spreading outward starting on the main branch extending outward onto the little fingers), drying them out consequently. I am concerned that this plant is going to die, given what I am seeing. the soil doesn’t seem too damp. Please offer any wisdom. The plant is in partial sun, has been in the same location for about 1 year. My mother had it before, in bright indirect light. It was in the same pot for 32 yrs, until I recently transplanted it…
    thank you!!!

  • Brenda

    We purchased a home in Surfside Beach, Tx about 1 year ago. There is a lovely Norfolk Pine in the yard that is about 6 ft. tall. I am reading that Norfolk Pines to not take well to pruning, but the lower branches have damage from Hurrican Ike. The tips of these damaged branches have new growth, but most of the branches are bare back to the trunk. Any suggestions on how to prune if at all. The upper branches are all doing well with lots of new growth.

  • Terri

    I have a beautiful Norfolk Pine, about 15 feet tall, it has been outside in a barrel pot doing fine, but it has grown to the size I can not keep it where it is, it’s too close to the house and must be moved. When we went to move it, we discovered that the roots had broken through the bottom of the barrel and through the brick patio. There are about good size roots and several small roots that have grown into the ground. I am heartsick! I love this tree and don’t want to see it die! I don’t think we could dig out all the roots and it would have to be cut to move it. Is there still a chance it would live? What can I do? Thank you!!!!

    Hi Terri
    It sounds like you have no choice but to move your Norfolk pine. So dig up as many roots as you can and replant it. Going into the fall season will put less stress on the tree and a better chance of survival. Give it a good watering and mulch around the tree staying away from the trunk. A dose of root stimulant can also help promote new root growth.

  • thomas hosie

    I live in south central Pennsylvania. I have three norfolk pines. Two small and one large pine. Yesterday I placed them outside and gave them a good misting-this was long over due since there is very low humidity in my house. My question is-this time of year in Pa the temperature can rise into the low to mid ninties and the humidity is high. Is it ok to place the plants outside during august and september-is there any percautions I must take as to the plants well being

    Hi Thomas
    Since they are not acclimated to the extreme light change, make sure you place your Norfolk pines in the shade until they get used to the light exposure and heat.

  • Beverly Kapelski

    I live in eastern PA and have a Norfolk pine that is about 3 1/2 feet. I place it outside in the summer and it usually grows great. This summer it has with all the rain and mild weather but I have noticed in the past 2 weeks that there are dead flies (greenish color) stuck to the end of the branches. The flies after a couple of days appear to get wrapped into some sort of cocoon. I have picked them off and a few days later there are more. What could this be? I don’t want to bring it back into the house until I know what the problem is. I have checked out bagworms but it looks as though they eat the needles not bugs.

  • Joy

    Hi, FYI My brother in New Orlean has a Norfolk in his back garden. The tree has been there for about 10 years and is 20 to 30 ft. tall and beautiful. It was his daughter’s Christmas tree one year. He has a 6-7 ft high wall around the garden. isn’t NO in zone 8?
    This tree even survived Katrina.

    Hi Joy
    New Orlean is close to zone 9, they are hardy in 10 so its pushing the hardiness but the tree may be in a micro-climate that protects it from extreme cold in the winter. How nice is that! Thanks for letting us know.

  • Hello…I am a little worried about my 30-40′ Norfolk Pine in my front yard that I planted in the ground about 30 years ago. It seems to be thinning out over time as it grows tall…not as green as I’d like, and every summer it gets the yellowing stems that fall off. The branches seem to have new growth though and at the top of the tree I have alot of these round 4-5″ balls(very heavy) and solid that fall off now and then. Squirrels love to eat them!!
    It also leans a bit and I’ve always been afraid of it falling..?? Please advise me on these signs and how to save the tree of my life. We live in Venice, CA 90291
    I appreciate all of your notes to everyone and any assistance you can send our way!!

  • Hello…
    I never heard back in regard to my questions… Please advise if any answers were sent my way??? Thanks…

    September 16th, 2009 at 10:21 pm · Reply
    Hello…I am a little worried about my 30-40′ Norfolk Pine in my front yard that I planted in the ground about 30 years ago. It seems to be thinning out over time as it grows tall…not as green as I’d like, and every summer it gets the yellowing stems that fall off. The branches seem to have new growth though and at the top of the tree I have alot of these round 4-5″ balls(very heavy) and solid that fall off now and then. Squirrels love to eat them!!
    It also leans a bit and I’ve always been afraid of it falling..?? Please advise me on these signs and how to save the tree of my life. We live in Venice, CA 90291
    I appreciate all of your notes to everyone and any assistance you can send our way!!

  • Belinda

    Hi What do I do if my dog chewed the bark on my Norfolk if anything. It’s not all the way around and it is still living. But it’s scarred down to the center, the core isn’t touched though. Thanks.

    Hi Belinda
    As long as the bark isn’t chewed all the way around the tree, your Norfolk pine should heal itself. I would put some protection (mesh wire) around the tree so that the dog doesn’t chew on it again.

  • Veronica

    Drying lower branches
    I have a Norfolk Pine (approx 6years old),we live near the the coast- Pymouth UK. The pine has been happy in the outside porch and is 6′ high.However, the lower branches have suddenly lost some of their needles the ends are still growing. I am thinking off taking it out of it’s pot and putting it into the garden. Any suggestions,thx.

    Hi Veronica
    Brown lower branches can be an indicator that the plant is not getting enough water. Perhaps it is pot bound and the roots need more room. Outdoors, Norfolk pines tolerate a minimum temperature of -1C (30F). If it gets colder than that in your area, then you will have to keep it in a container.

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