As evergreen conifers, pine trees provide year-round color. Their sizes range from 4-foot dwarf varieties to 100-foot white pines (Pinus strobus), making them convenient for tight spaces as well as gardens that need large windbreaks or privacy screens. Sometimes, a backyard forest makes it necessary to care for pine trees that were already in the landscape. Fortunately, pine trees are low-maintenance plants that need little watering or pruning, as long as they get enough sun and fertilizer.

Soil and Sun

Pine trees benefit from well-drained soil that's rich in nutrients. When transplanted, they need lots of soil around their roots, though large pine tree varieties sometimes make transplanting a challenge because of their deep tap roots. As sun-worshippers, most pine trees need full sun, including Pinyon pines (Pinus edulis) and Monterey pines (Pinus radiata).

Water and Mulch

Some pine trees are drought-tolerant, and those in damp climates don't need watering other than rainfall. The only times you need to water pines are during dry winters, when they need a thorough soaking once a month to mimic natural rainfall. To prevent water stress, apply a layer of mulch around the base of the pine trees. This helps the soil retain water and prevents weeds from sprouting and stealing the pine tree's nutrients.