Brown needles pine and spruce in my yard - Ask Extension
In Pueblo West where I have Alberta Spruce, Black Hills Spruce and many mugo pines I have seen over the summer the needles turn brown. I realized th...
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Brown needles pine and spruce in my yard #353831
Asked August 16, 2016, 10:22 PM EDT
In Pueblo West where I have Alberta Spruce, Black Hills Spruce and many mugo pines I have seen over the summer the needles turn brown. I realized this could be an attack of spider mites so I soaked them all with a solution of insecticidal soap: 2 1/2 oz per gallon of water using a hand sprayer. The blue spruce seem unaffected for now as do the Austrian Pine Limber Pine.
I did the white paper under- the- live- needles test but couldn't find evidence of the mite but I just don't know what else could spread to cause this much damage. Do you think this is spider mite problem or another problem I'm having? If it is spider mite damage when do you think I can see the trees and pines show some improvement from the treatment I gave them?
I did the white paper under- the- live- needles test but couldn't find evidence of the mite but I just don't know what else could spread to cause this much damage. Do you think this is spider mite problem or another problem I'm having? If it is spider mite damage when do you think I can see the trees and pines show some improvement from the treatment I gave them?
Pueblo County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi,
One of the most likely causes of evergreens trees browning during the summer is that they are victim of winter drying. This seems especially likely if you have not seen any physical signs of insects or disease on the trees. You can help them to overcome this damage by practicing good fall and winter watering. When we have had no moisture in the fall and winter for 2-3 weeks, give your trees a good, deep watering. Do it mid day on days that are above 40°. This will definitely help your trees to be stronger and better looking next year. I've read that mugo pines are especially suseptible to winter drying. Here are a couple links to check out:
http://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/gardening-articles-tips-and-questions-answers...
http://www.colostate.edu/Dept/CoopExt/4dmg/Trees/blubrown.htm
I would think that you would see webs or signs of spider mites if that is what you were dealing with. Do keep in mind that insecticides used to treat spider mites need to be reapplied every 10-14 days to get the newly hatched mites.
If you see more symptoms please respond.
I hope this is helpful.
One of the most likely causes of evergreens trees browning during the summer is that they are victim of winter drying. This seems especially likely if you have not seen any physical signs of insects or disease on the trees. You can help them to overcome this damage by practicing good fall and winter watering. When we have had no moisture in the fall and winter for 2-3 weeks, give your trees a good, deep watering. Do it mid day on days that are above 40°. This will definitely help your trees to be stronger and better looking next year. I've read that mugo pines are especially suseptible to winter drying. Here are a couple links to check out:
http://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/gardening-articles-tips-and-questions-answers...
http://www.colostate.edu/Dept/CoopExt/4dmg/Trees/blubrown.htm
I would think that you would see webs or signs of spider mites if that is what you were dealing with. Do keep in mind that insecticides used to treat spider mites need to be reapplied every 10-14 days to get the newly hatched mites.
If you see more symptoms please respond.
I hope this is helpful.
