Pendula Information – Tips On How To Grow A Weeping White Pine Tree

weeping white pine
weeping white pine
(Image credit: F. D. Richards)

Everybody’s seen some type of weeping tree, garden ornamentals with branches that dip gracefully toward the earth. The most famous example might be the weeping willow. On the other hand, you may never have heard of weeping white pine. What is a weeping white pine? Read on for information on “Pendula” and tips on how to grow a weeping white pine.

What is a Weeping White Pine?

Weeping white pine (Pinus strubus “Pendula”) is a small cultivar of the white pine family. According to pendula information, it is a short shrub with many stems. The branches grow downward and spread across the soil surface like a groundcover. However, with proper early pruning, weeping white pine can develop into a small tree up to 12 feet (4 m.) tall. Its canopy outline is irregular. Weeping white pine’s canopy spread can be two to three times its height. Weeping white pine trees have smooth trunks covered with silvery gray bark. The bark is attractive when the trees are young, but as they age, the foliage covers the trunks all the way to the ground. The needles of a weeping white pine are evergreen and smell good. They are blue or blue-green, and between 2 and 4 inches (5-10 cm.) long.

Pendula White Pine Care

If you want to know how to grow a weeping white pine, first check your hardiness zone. These are hardy trees and thrive in USDA zones 3 through 7. If you live in a warm climate, you will not be able to invite a weeping white pine into your yard. According to pendula information, the weeping white pine is generally an easy-care, undemanding tree. It accepts most soils if they are acidic and well-draining. This includes loam and sand. Plant your tree in direct sun or a mix of sun and shade. Information on how to grow a weeping white palm indicates that the species has little tolerance for heat, salt, or drought. Water them regularly, keep them away from winter-salted roads, and do not try to plant them in zone 8 or above. The only arduous part of pendula white pine care is the pruning. If you do not shape this tree while it is young, it tops out at about knee height, growing as an evergreen groundcover. To make this plant into a small tree, reduce its many leaders to one by early structural pruning. If you want to be able to walk under the tree, you’ll need to trim the weeping branches as well.

Teo Spengler
Writer

Teo Spengler has been gardening for 30 years. She is a docent at the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Her passion is trees, 250 of which she has planted on her land in France.