The best form of nutrient is leaf mold or well-rotted manure. Pruning of evergreen trees used for shelterbelts is not recommended. Any branches that are removed will not regrow and gaps will be left. Branches should be removed only if they are dead or diseased. The terminal leader should not be pruned.
Weed control is essential during the first five years after planting.
Till as soon as weeds appear. When using herbicides to control weeds do not allow spray drift to touch the needles of evergreens. During the winter moisture may be lost from the needles, due to evaporation, faster than it can be absorbed. The trees take on a brown, dried out appearance during the spring. To prevent this drying, water trees well during the fall, once after the second hard fros.