Vanderwolf pine tree brown outside needles - Ask Extension
I have 3 large Vanderwolf pine trees planted for 3 years in the northeast corner of my yard. All have been doing great. Two weeks ago one of the t...
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Vanderwolf pine tree brown outside needles #222181
Asked December 09, 2014, 5:57 PM EST
I have 3 large Vanderwolf pine trees planted for 3 years in the northeast corner of my yard. All have been doing great. Two weeks ago one of the trees needles started turning brown at the top. The needles are brown from the outside in. I have a smaller Vanderwolf tree that is next to our deck that does get south and west sun most of the day. It's one whole side is turning brown. It almost looks like someone sprayed the one side with light brown paint. The north side looks fine. I have been watering but maybe not enough. The branches are very pliable, not dry. What should I do for these trees so they do not die?
Broomfield County Colorado
Expert Response
Thank you for the great pictures and description. The damage is from the mid November cold. Recall that the temperatures prior to this event were in the 60's and then the next day temperatures dropped rapidly and stayed very cold. The needles on your plants had not yet hardened off or prepared for winter. Plants need a gradual exposure to colder temperatures to acclimate to winter, not the mid fall to mid January type of temperature drop we experienced.
In mid-spring 2015 or so you will better be able to determine the plants' health. For now, make sure the plants receive water every month in the absence of snowmelt or rainfall.
There are a lot of plants in the same situation throughout Colorado. Good luck!
In mid-spring 2015 or so you will better be able to determine the plants' health. For now, make sure the plants receive water every month in the absence of snowmelt or rainfall.
There are a lot of plants in the same situation throughout Colorado. Good luck!
