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mugo pine needles turning brown #196518

Asked July 03, 2014, 11:36 AM EDT

Why are the needles on a mugo pine turning brown on the ends?  Some white color on a few needles so I was considering pine scale but this tree started symptoms back in April after winter was done.

Lincoln County South Dakota

Expert Response

These look like Austrian or Ponderosa pines since they look pretty tall.  The browning on the tips of the needles is probably still winter injury but I cannot see them closely enough to make any other diagnosis.  There are a few diseases that can cause the death of whole needles and a trig disease that will kill small twigs.  There is also a borer that will kill twigs too but you would see pitch coming out of the places where they are feeding.
An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 07, 2014, 2:37 PM EDT

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