Ponderosa pine disease - tops are dying - Ask Extension
I have 2 Ponderosa Pine trees on my 3/4 acre lot in the Tollgate Subdivision outside of Sisters. The tops are beginning to die and I want to know if t...
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Ponderosa pine disease - tops are dying #233136
Asked March 26, 2015, 7:27 PM EDT
I have 2 Ponderosa Pine trees on my 3/4 acre lot in the Tollgate Subdivision outside of Sisters. The tops are beginning to die and I want to know if there is something I should do to prevent it from spreading to my other trees (e.g. Spray with something, cut them down)
Deschutes County Oregon
Expert Response
Hello,
Thank you for the photo, it is very helpful.
I believe that what we are looking at is a stress response to our warm and dry winter in Central Oregon.
Also, young Ponderosas (10-20 years of age) often lose the needles below the main leader (on the trunk) which have persisted for a year or two and now have died and are in the process of falling off. It can look dramatic.
What we want to know is whether the bud on the leader is alive or dead, which we won't know until Spring growth occurs.
My advice right now is to keep an eye on the trees, and give them a deep water if you can. I live in Bend and have been watering my younger trees monthly this winter, since it has been so dry and warm. Overall, that tree looks like it is vigorous and has good growth, it will probably be able to overcome this stress.
If you start seeing pitch running down the trunk of the tree, that will indicate an insect, and then we can re-think the plan.
If you would like to follow up on this query, please email me directly at nicole(dot)strong(at)oregonstate.edu
Thank you for the photo, it is very helpful.
I believe that what we are looking at is a stress response to our warm and dry winter in Central Oregon.
Also, young Ponderosas (10-20 years of age) often lose the needles below the main leader (on the trunk) which have persisted for a year or two and now have died and are in the process of falling off. It can look dramatic.
What we want to know is whether the bud on the leader is alive or dead, which we won't know until Spring growth occurs.
My advice right now is to keep an eye on the trees, and give them a deep water if you can. I live in Bend and have been watering my younger trees monthly this winter, since it has been so dry and warm. Overall, that tree looks like it is vigorous and has good growth, it will probably be able to overcome this stress.
If you start seeing pitch running down the trunk of the tree, that will indicate an insect, and then we can re-think the plan.
If you would like to follow up on this query, please email me directly at nicole(dot)strong(at)oregonstate.edu
