Norfolk Star Pine

Average rating:
For those of you who want a living Christmas tree that will last year after year (rather than one that barely stays green through the holiday season), the Norfolk Star Pine is a perfect choice. This is a lovely INDOOR evergreen that will beautify your home throughout the year.
Let's start thinking about our forests this Christmas. Why cut down a beautiful tree, use it to decorate a home or office for a few weeks, watch it dry out and die, and then throw it into the trash. The Norfolk Star Pine is a perfect alternative that will get bigger and more impressive with each passing year. The only two drawbacks of this stately tree are it requires very bright light to thrive and it is poisonous if ingested by small children or animals
Step 1:

Select a Star Pine that has more than one trunk if possible and has greenery almost to the soil line. If the bottom branches have died off (usually from lack of light), new branches will not grow again in those areas of the trunk and your tree will always remain straggly looking. Multiple trunks will ensure a full looking tree for years to come. 

Step 2:

Location is very important for a Star Pine. Place your tree in a very bright but cool location (60-70 degrees). The Norfolk Pine can even take direct sun. As the tree grows, be sure that the bottom branches still get bright light or they will dry up and die. Rotate the tree to maintain its symmetrical shape. Never put a Star Pine where a child or small pet might eat it. All parts of it are toxic.

Step 3:

Allow the top 2" of soil to dry out before watering the plant. This plant likes to be damp, but not overly wet. Never allow a Star Pine to totally dry out. It is very unforgiving and many branches will turn brown or die completely.

Step 4:

Use a basic fertilizer, like Miracle Gro, every other week in the summer, once a month in Spring and Fall, but never in the winter. A Star Pine "rests" in the winter and does not need to be fed.

Step 5:

A Star Pine is an indoor evergreen in most of the United States. You can place it outside on your porch as long as the temperature does not go below 40 degrees. It can be planted outside in areas such as Florida, Southern Texas and California, where the weather stays warm throughout the year.

Step 6:

Starting a new pine is very simple. If you plant starts to look straggly, cut off the top three or four inches of the trunks. This would include two or three inches of stem and the star-like cluster of new growth that gives this tree its name. Plant them in a small pot, about 4" in height and diameter. Keep moist, warm, and in bright light. The plant should root in about 4-6 weeks.

Step 7:

Star Pines make beautiful Christmas trees. You can use tinsel, balls, ornaments, and even some lights. Just be careful not to weigh the branches down with too many heavy ornaments or create excessive heat with too many lights. 

About this Author:
If you have trouble locating a Star Pine in your area or have more questions about this plant contact judy@foliageunlimited.net or check out our website www.foliageunlimited.net.
View more information and all guides by Judy Feldstein

Be the First to Comment on this Article