The Virginia Pine is a conifer that's found near the Appalachian mountains. It's a hardy tree that grows well in poor soils and has several uses that range from ornamental to animal shelter. The tree grows about 18 inches yearly and takes about five years to reach its mature height.
When the they reach about three years old, it produces red-brown cones. Planting them results in an attractive, hardy tree, doesn't require much maintenance, and creates a solid stand of trees if you plant multiple in a row or a group.
Cultivating Virginia Pine Seedlings
Virginia Pine Seedlings grow best in growing zones 4 to 8 and have no soil type or preference. They grow best in sandy or clay soils, but planting them in any soil will result in an adult tree with full branches. Seedlings can be planted and thrive where other pines can't or won't and are an excellent choice when planting on land that has become barren.
When planting them, you need to stake and secure the seedling to help it resist being blown over and uprooted. As the seedling grows, it will root itself and strengthen. Once you notice the seedling has turned into a sturdy sapling, you can take it off the stake and let it grow freely.
The ideal location to plant them is in an area with full or partial sun. It would help if you watered the seedling regularly until it's established in its root system. Afterward, you can let the tree get watered by rain.
The health of a Virginia Pine seedling can be affected by sawflies, pine beetles, pinewood nematodes, and weevils. It can also develop heart rot, pitch canker, and Diplodia tip blight. Both issues are treatable with pesticides and fungicides applied when infestation or blight is noticed.
Landscaping With Virginia Pine Seedlings
They are also known as the Christmas tree pine due to its conical shape and lush foliage. The tree tends to be self-pruning, but it responds just fine to regular trimming and won't go into shock afterward. Keeping the tree pruned is recommended to maintain its shape, as it can become scraggly and suffer limb damage. They will still have limb damage even with pruning, but maintaining the tree reduces the potential for broken limbs and keeps the tree at the desired height.
The tree's sturdy nature lends itself well to being used as a windbreak or a natural barrier, but make sure to give the Virginia Pine tree seedlings ample space when planning their layout. They need 20 to 25 feet between each plant as the tree has a shallow root system. Giving the trees enough space helps them grow without interfering with each other and allows them to spread their branches out to create a full skirt that doesn't touch a neighboring tree.
