Garden Care Guide

Black Pine Care

Pinus nigra

An extremely hardy evergreen pine native to Anatolia. It has high tolerance of drought, air pollution and difficult soil conditions (clay, calcareous). It is widely used in forestry and in afforestation of difficult sites; it is susceptible to the pine processionary caterpillar.

Hardy · -30 °C / -22 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Fertilizing: Not needed; it should not be given.
  • Pruning: Only lower branches that pose a safety risk or have dried out completely can be cut. It generally needs no pruning.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Dormancy period.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for white, cottony pouches on branch tips (pine bagworm). DO NOT TOUCH THE POUCHES OR CATERPILLARS WITH BARE HANDS; their hairs cause serious allergies and skin irritation.
February
  • Pruning: It does not need formative pruning and its top should not be cut. Only remove dry, broken, and diseased branches. Do not cut the leader shoot. If you want to make it denser, snap the new shoots (candles) in half by hand in spring; cutting with shears turns the needle tips brown.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Toward the end of winter, pine processionary caterpillars prepare to leave their nests.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for white, cottony pouches on branch tips (pine bagworm). DO NOT TOUCH THE POUCHES OR CATERPILLARS WITH BARE HANDS; their hairs cause serious allergies and skin irritation.
March
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: It must absolutely not be given.
  • Plant protection: Pine processionary moth caterpillars are actively feeding. If necessary, biological (Bacillus thuringiensis) or chemical insecticides are applied by professionals.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Pine processionary caterpillars (moving in procession formation) come down from the tree into the soil; avoid contact.
April
  • Watering: Not needed for young saplings.
  • General care: Rapid growth period.
May
  • General care: Growth continues.
June
  • Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
  • General care: Growth slows. New cones form.
July
  • Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • General care: It shows full tolerance to the hottest and driest conditions.
  • Pests & diseases: Trees under stress (wounded, old) can be targets for bark beetles (Scolytinae), although it is generally healthy.
August
  • Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
September
  • Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
  • Fertilizing: It must absolutely not be given.
  • Plant protection: Adult moths of the pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) fly and lay eggs. This is not the best time for control.
  • General care: Autumn rains can be awaited for planting new seedlings.
October
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: The hatched pine bagworm caterpillars begin to form their first small bags.
November
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for white, cottony pouches on branch tips (pine bagworm). DO NOT TOUCH THE POUCHES OR CATERPILLARS WITH BARE HANDS; their hairs cause serious allergies and skin irritation.
December
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for white, cottony pouches on branch tips (pine bagworm). DO NOT TOUCH THE POUCHES OR CATERPILLARS WITH BARE HANDS; their hairs cause serious allergies and skin irritation.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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