Troubleshooting
Pencil Pine problems — and how to fix them
Pencil Pine (Athrotaxis cupressoides) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Heat and drought intolerance
It quickly browns and dies back in heat or dryness. Restrict to cool, moist climates and keep roots permanently damp, shaded, and mulched.
Extremely slow growth
It puts on very little height each year, testing gardeners' patience. Steady moisture and shelter give the best, if modest, growth.
Fire sensitivity
Highly vulnerable to fire and very slow to recover in the wild. In gardens protect from heat sources and avoid drought-stressed, flammable conditions.
Decline in dry air
Low humidity scorches the scale foliage and weakens the plant. Grow in sheltered, humid microclimates away from hot, windy sites.
Prevent pencil pine problems before they start
Most pencil pine issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for pencil pine in general rather than its problems? Read the full pencil pine care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Pencil Pine problems — FAQ
Why is my pencil pine heat and drought intolerance?
It quickly browns and dies back in heat or dryness. Restrict to cool, moist climates and keep roots permanently damp, shaded, and mulched.
Why is my pencil pine extremely slow growth?
It puts on very little height each year, testing gardeners' patience. Steady moisture and shelter give the best, if modest, growth.
Why is my pencil pine fire sensitivity?
Highly vulnerable to fire and very slow to recover in the wild. In gardens protect from heat sources and avoid drought-stressed, flammable conditions.
Why is my pencil pine decline in dry air?
Low humidity scorches the scale foliage and weakens the plant. Grow in sheltered, humid microclimates away from hot, windy sites.