Gardener's tip: why it's worth pinching pine shoots before midsummer

June is the best time to pinch pine shoots, which helps shape a denser canopy and create a more compact tree form. Correct timing is important—the work should be done before midsummer's day.

June is a critical time for gardeners, when it's the right moment to tackle one simple but effective maintenance task—pinching pine shoots. This applies to mountain pines, Scots pines and other ornamental pines that many Estonians grow in their gardens.

Pinching pine shoots involves partially removing young, developing growth, which directs the tree's energy towards lateral branch growth. The result is a denser canopy and a more compact, aesthetically pleasing tree form—exactly what is desired from ornamental trees.

Timing is crucial for this task. Shoots should be pinched when they are still soft and green, but before they have fully developed. The optimal window falls in June, ideally before midsummer's day. Pinching later may result in the tree responding poorly and the result may not be as desired.

No special tools are needed for pinching—your fingers are sufficient. You should remove approximately half to two-thirds of each new shoot. Too radical cutting can damage the tree, while too little intervention won't deliver the desired result.

With regular pinching, done each year, pines become progressively more compact and decorative over time. It is one of the cheapest and simplest ways to significantly improve garden design.