Generally, a humus rich, well drained soil, neutral to acid and in a sunny position.

thanks, wasn't going to put it in a sunny spot but will re-think where I'm putting it.

Only a few conifers can take much shade, and fewer still can do so and get much size to them!

I had seen some lovely front gardens with various conifers and thought I'd do that in my front(north facing) garden not thinking about sun positioning or soil type, that is until I had bought them. New to gardening!

From my limited experience (2 white pines, another pine, whose name escapes me and a dwarf mugho(?) pine), the key is to planting them slightly high in rich soil. I have mine planted in clay which was dug out and they are doing very well 7 years on. They are all in sunny locations.

Pinus mugo, Lil.