Comments on: Norfolk Pine

By: Veronica

Veronica — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:25:49 +0000

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.

By: Belinda

Belinda — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:18:46 +0000

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.

By: William

William — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:57:43 +0000

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!!

By: William

William — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:21:16 +0000

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!!

By: Joy

Joy — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:59:19 +0000

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.

By: Beverly Kapelski

Beverly Kapelski — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:40:45 +0000

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.

By: thomas hosie

thomas hosie — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:45:06 +0000

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.

By: Terri

Terri — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:43:24 +0000

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.

By: Brenda

Brenda — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:17:18 +0000

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.

By: marshall obrien

marshall obrien — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:29:12 +0000

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!!!