Comments on: Norfolk Pine

By: Ron Gardner

Ron Gardner — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:46:34 +0000

We think someone has poisoned our 2 60′ Norfolk Pines. There is a 1″ diameter hole that has been drilled into both of them and sap is coming out. One tree looks worse than the other (some needles turning brown). On both of them, the tips at the top of the tree are not upright.

This has occurred over 1 year or so before we suspected fowl play.

I am going to seal the holes to stop the sap running out.

Is there anything else I can do?

Thanks
Ron

By: Charlotte

Charlotte — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:17:16 +0000

Frost damage
I live outside Houston Tx and have a Norfolk Pine that had gotten so large in its pot that I (thinking we had mild winters) planted in the ground. We had some 24 degree nights this winter and now most of the needles are turning brown. Is there any possibility of saving it if I put it back in a pot and bring it indoors? If so, should I wait until it warms up some? Wish I had known we would get this crazy winter. Hindsight is always 20/20.

Hi Charlotte
I’m sorry to tell you that once the needles turn brown, the Norfolk pine will not survive.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:14:29 +0000

Pruning Norfolk Pine
We have a beautiful Norfolk Pine about 5 feet tall, but from the pot it’s in up about 2 1/2 feet is just bare. Is there a healtly way to cut the trunk & repot so it is fuller?

Hi Kathleen
Unfortunately there isn’t. See http://hortchat.com/info/pruning-norfolk-pine

By: kim

kim — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:01:59 +0000

Transplant shock
I purchased a Norfolk Pine this year, It desperately needed transplanting, which I did to a larger pot. Now it’s drooping, looks sad, what can I do for it? Help I want this beautiful tree to grow.

Hi Kim
Your Norfolk pine is in transplant shock. They don’t like their roots disturbed. Give it some time to recover. Make sure it get enough water-not too much and humidity. Keep it in a cool, bright spot in the house. Don’t fertilize at this time-wait until you see new growth in Spring. It should perk up in a few weeks.

By: Lennie

Lennie — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:22:02 +0000

I live in Colorado and I have a little Norfolk pine about 5 inches tall and I was looking at it tonight and I noticed there was some very tiny brownish bugs crawling around on the soil and the rim on the pot. Do you know what those bugs are and how to get rid of them? The tree seems to be doing great. It's very green and I water it about once a week and I never let it sit in water and I mist it about every one to two days. Please help me get rid of these stupid bugs.

Hi Lennie My guess is that you have fungus gnats in the soil. That occurs when the soil is kept too moist. The link will help you get rid of them.

By: MK Mills

MK Mills — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:30:32 +0000

Norfolk pine in AZ
I live in Phoenix, AZ where temps are not often below 45, but can go as high as multiple days over 110 degrees in the summer. It is also very dry. I have two norfolk pines in pots, one is doing ok, the other got too dehydrated month or so ago I think and I recently had to cut off all but some underlying branches and the main stalk. It is still alive, but not sure what else to do to help save it. What is the best thing to do for these plants? Is outside an option? I can keep them watered, but they are never going to get 50% humidity… If I keep them as house plants, I’d like them to share a pot. Thanks, Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi MK
Az’s dry air is a difficult place to grow a Norfolk pine. They like cool, humid air. I don’t think planting them outdoors is a viable option but they can be outdoors in containers during the cool, bright winter (as long as there are no freezing temperatures). Occasionally, give them a nice spray of water. Bring it indoors when temperatures get hot in summer and keep them as houseplants. You can try planting both in a larger pot to accomodate both plants but keep in mind that they will grow and will need more space. If the one plant is questionable, wait and see how it survives, it may not be worth disturbing the healthy plant. If you plan on repotting do so in late winter.

By: Lois

Lois — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:42:29 +0000

I got a Norfolk Pine for Christmas in 2002 in a little 4″ pot. Gradually as it grew, I re-potted it.
Then I moved the biggest pot outside. (I live in Tampa). Then I planted it in my backyard, near the property line. My new neighbor put up a fence today, and as a result of digging, cut a line of the tree’s roots and he
also cut some of the lower branches. The tree is about 30 feet tall now. Will my poor “Jody” suffer?

Hi Lois
The tree will suffer anytime you disturb and cut off some of the roots. Fortunately, this is being done when the tree is “dormant”(resting). The best thing you can do for your tree is to fertilize with a root starter it in the spring to stimulate new growth. Make sure that it gets plenty of water during a dry spell and is stress free. Depending on how much damage was incurred, it may take a year or more to recover.

By: Gerald

Gerald — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 16:18:07 +0000

Have two Norfolk Pines in pots with plans on planting them in my outdoor garden.
Read above memo that stated the roots can grow outward beyond the drip line of the plant.

My question is: are these roots invasive to building foundations?
Thank you.

Hi Gerald
Any tree can become invasive if planted too close to a foundation. Check out this site http://www.archicentre.com.au/survival_kit/cracking_brick.pdf it may be of some help to you.

By: Melissa F

Melissa F — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:47:50 +0000

Norfolk pine drying out
I bought a norfolk pine right before christmas. I keep it near a window and it doesn’t get direct sunlight and i haven’t watered it very much. it was doing good, and all the sudden the bottom half of the tree is hard and brittle and needles actually stab you when you touch them. they are still green and looks fine, but fall off if you mess with them. now the top half is doing the same thing. what did i do wrong, can i fix it, and what do i do? thanks!

Hi Melissa
It sounds like it is drying out. One the needles start to dry – its difficult the reverse the process. Give the plant a thorough watering, so that it flows out of the bottom holes of the container. Rewater, again and pour out any excess water. When the top 2 inches of soil feel dry, water again. Added humidity will also help as Norfolk pines like a bright, sunny, cool & humid environment. Also, keep the plant away from cold drafts and heating vents.

By: Ashley B

Ashley B — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:44:08 +0000

I received 2 Norfolk Pines recently, one that is fairly small (just over 1 foot) and a little larger one (2 1/2 feet). I’m not a good gardener and really want to keep these. I live in Northest Louisiana – very humid during summer and winters do drop into 20 – 30 F at times. I was told I could plant these outside but after reading about them I don’t think this would be a good idea. What do you think?

Hi Ashley
Norfolk pine may be marginal in your area. They are hardy in zone 10-11 but have been successfully grown in Florida. Check the neighborhood and see if anyone else is growing them, that would be a good indicator that they can survive. If you do plant it outdoors put it in a protected area or a microclimate. Wait until spring to do any planting.