Shaping Mugo Pines and Scots Pines | Our Japanese Garden Escape

Our latest video covers both Mugo and Scots pines. Many types of pine are traditionally found in Japanese gardens and provide a peaceful and calming nature within the garden. Commonly in Japan these pines are shaped over time to create specific forms, notably the cloud style that many people are aware of. In this video we cover how to both pinch and prune the smaller growing Mugo and Scots pines in order to begin the process of keeping them in a compact shape.
Plants mentioned in this video:
Mugo pine - Pinus mugo
Scots pine - Pinus sylvestris
We are in a climate/hardiness zone 6 and all plants above are growing well in our garden.
Subscribe to my channel: / @ourjapanesegardenescape
Follow me on Instagram: / ourjapanesegardenescape
Subscribe to my nature sound relaxation channel and leave the noise behind: / @escaperelaxrecharge
Traveling to Japan? Get your Japan Rail Pass for the best way to travel around Japan (affiliate link):
click.jrpass.com/aff_c?offer_...
Gardening tools we use:
Secateurs: amzn.to/3yJcpPs
Snips: amzn.to/3yZoa5x
Clippers: amzn.to/3uKCvAe
Scissors: amzn.to/3PlLiAz
Pruning saw: amzn.to/3NYspCA
Hedge shears: amzn.to/3IAdeyk
Tool cleaner: amzn.to/3z0hyE2
Tool oil: amzn.to/3AGS3ZE
Oil dispenser: amzn.to/3bZIzOG
Tool sharpener: amzn.to/3aDDpaT
Tool holster: amzn.to/3PtFCod
Trowels: amzn.to/3NXHggE
Spade: amzn.to/3AQGmj1
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Camera gear we use:
Camera: amzn.to/3cevpgQ
2nd Camera: amzn.to/3AMacFt
18-135mm lens: amzn.to/3lvrDSa
18-200mm lens: amzn.to/3DjeJfW
10-18mm lens: amzn.to/3G3JWFK
Microphone: amzn.to/3oitHia
2nd Microphone: amzn.to/3plrj9P
SD card 64GB: amzn.to/31mO1Go
SD Card 128GB: amzn.to/3ryidsL
Gimbal: amzn.to/3rtsvdV
Tripod: amzn.to/3pkY1YW
Drone: amzn.to/31ouYvh
Micro SD card 128GB: amzn.to/31xgZU0
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@josteigercorporation6951]

I've been growing pines as garden trees and bonsai for over 30 years and your presentation was absolutely perfect. People can learn such a lot from enthusiastic people like you. Thank you for removing the mystery surrounding pine trimming.

[@user-pl4eu5jc5w]

Well Done! Thank you 🙏

[@OurJapaneseGardenEscape]

Thank you so much!

[@MrAlandesignstudio]

Hi thanks for sharing

[@OurJapaneseGardenEscape]

Thank you so much :)

[@ron9168]

Excellent presentation !

[@OurJapaneseGardenEscape]

Thank you, very much appreciated!

[@susieg4391]

You seem to really know what you’re doing, BUT... I REALLY wish the filming of many of your cuts and examples were closeup shots. When I’m tending to my own plants, I’m literally up close and would’ve love to have seen your specifics much more closely so I’d be able to mimic your examples. Thanks for your hard work and video.

[@OurJapaneseGardenEscape]

Thank you for your feedback. We will take it on board :)

[@dustinkelley8428]

Thank you for this video, it has been helpful. On my mugo, I have some sideshoots getting out of profile. Can I remove them as long as I leave one side shoot for each branch?

[@OurJapaneseGardenEscape]

Thank you, I am happy to hear that. Yes, that should be ok to do. If you are not sure, you can test it on one branch and see how the pine reacts. Also, it is best to wait for spring time :)

[@kasperolsson6765]

Hi Thanks for sharing. Can you cut back all new growth every year, keeping the size of the pine? - or do you have to let the pine grow at least a little every year?

[@OurJapaneseGardenEscape]

I would recommend to let the pine grow at least a little every year. Removing all growth could potentially damage or even kill the pine. By reducing the length of the candles/new shoots you will get a more compact growth.

[@kasperolsson6765]

Thank you

[@djratino]

I have one that I bought from Home Depot. It seems to grow very slowly. It has been fertilized. It didn't help much. What can be done to speed growth? It gets morning sun.

[@davidraver3596]

While pruning pines with shears you should do it more carefully: do it at such an angle so as not to cut the needles.

[@OurJapaneseGardenEscape]

Thanks, yes, I cut black pines in that way because the needles are longer. For mugo pines I consider it ok to cut them the way I did in the video because the needles are so much shorter :)

[@kurtgronbach8832]

What variety of Mugo pine do you have?

[@OurJapaneseGardenEscape]

Most of them are 'Pumilio', others were not labeled as a specific cultivar.