Douglas Fir Tree Tops are Dying - Ask Extension
My Douglas Fir tree tops are dying out here in Grants Pass, OR. There is about four dead/dying trees in a bunch of about six. Is this from a drier tha...
Knowledgebase
Douglas Fir Tree Tops are Dying #216445
Asked October 10, 2014, 6:57 PM EDT
My Douglas Fir tree tops are dying out here in Grants Pass, OR. There is about four dead/dying trees in a bunch of about six. Is this from a drier than normal summer and the trees could not survive at their current density? I do not see any signs of insect infestation (bore holes, frass, insects themselves, etc.), but may have missed something.
Should I go ahead and cut these trees down and consider them dead?
Should I go ahead and cut these trees down and consider them dead?
Josephine County Oregon
Expert Response
Yes, I suspect the dry conditions of the past summer - really the past two years have been very dry - have resulted in the dieback and death of these trees. There may also be bugs or disease involved but the underlying reason is likely to be moisture stress.
From the pictures, it's a little hard to tell if the tree is dead on top and green below, or if the dead tree is behind one that is still green. Regardless, if 1/3 or more of the foliage is red, it is dying from the top down, and it appears to be progressive, I would remove the tree.
From the pictures, it's a little hard to tell if the tree is dead on top and green below, or if the dead tree is behind one that is still green. Regardless, if 1/3 or more of the foliage is red, it is dying from the top down, and it appears to be progressive, I would remove the tree.
