Pine trees dying from the top down - Ask Extension
Hello,Our pine trees are dying from the top down. This is the third one to do this. We are watering as much as possible. Any suggestions would be help...
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Pine trees dying from the top down #652132
Asked June 17, 2020, 10:53 AM EDT
Hello,
Our pine trees are dying from the top down. This is the third one to do this. We are watering as much as possible. Any suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks.
Our pine trees are dying from the top down. This is the third one to do this. We are watering as much as possible. Any suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks.
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello,
This is a spruce. Could you elaborate a little more about how you're caring for the tree and how it's being maintained? Does it get regular water? When was it planted? Is there mulch at the base or grass?
Thanks! You can also send additional photos if you wish.
This is a spruce. Could you elaborate a little more about how you're caring for the tree and how it's being maintained? Does it get regular water? When was it planted? Is there mulch at the base or grass?
Thanks! You can also send additional photos if you wish.
Hi Alison,
This house was built in 2003, so i assume they were planted soon after that. We just moved in about three years ago. The original owner installed a drip system on them. However, another tree person said that the drip lines were too far from the base of the trees to be very effective. About a foot, to two feet, outside the lowest branches. Last year we had a lot of landscaping done and the contractor basically destroyed our sprinkler system making it unusable all summer. The tree branches were grown down against the ground, so there was no mulch, and not much vegetation at their base. We recently trimmed the very lowest branches so we could get underneath the trees. We dug a small trough about two feet away from the trunk so water could accumulate and not just run off. Last year, we had some other pine trees planted on the east side of our house. That tree guy suggested that we fertilize all of our trees. We allowed him to do that, including these trees. I'm not sure if that would have had a negative impact or not. These trees are on the north side of our house. There is nothing put pasture land north of that. These trees get the full impact of the incredible winds that we get here in Wellington. This winter, all of our snow storms came with very windy conditions. When the wind blows the snow around the trees, a snow drift will form on the south side of the trees. As the snow melts, these trees get all of the water from those snow drifts. Let me know if there is anything else I can tell you. Thanks so much. Brandon
This house was built in 2003, so i assume they were planted soon after that. We just moved in about three years ago. The original owner installed a drip system on them. However, another tree person said that the drip lines were too far from the base of the trees to be very effective. About a foot, to two feet, outside the lowest branches. Last year we had a lot of landscaping done and the contractor basically destroyed our sprinkler system making it unusable all summer. The tree branches were grown down against the ground, so there was no mulch, and not much vegetation at their base. We recently trimmed the very lowest branches so we could get underneath the trees. We dug a small trough about two feet away from the trunk so water could accumulate and not just run off. Last year, we had some other pine trees planted on the east side of our house. That tree guy suggested that we fertilize all of our trees. We allowed him to do that, including these trees. I'm not sure if that would have had a negative impact or not. These trees are on the north side of our house. There is nothing put pasture land north of that. These trees get the full impact of the incredible winds that we get here in Wellington. This winter, all of our snow storms came with very windy conditions. When the wind blows the snow around the trees, a snow drift will form on the south side of the trees. As the snow melts, these trees get all of the water from those snow drifts. Let me know if there is anything else I can tell you. Thanks so much. Brandon
Hi Brandon,
I really think this is drought stress. Do you see how the grass outside of the dripline is spaced out? This means the plants are naturally spacing themselves due to lack of water. I agree that the drip lines should be placed at the dripline of the tree, but spruce do need a lot of water.
If it's easier, simply drag a hose and sprinkler to the trees and water them well every week or two during the growing season. Also do this once per month in fall and winter.
Our snows usually don't contain a lot of moisture, and as you pointed out, these trees are very exposed to wind, so they are losing more moisture. I don't know if the top will recover--evergreens are unique in how they form buds. But watering them adequately will help.
I wouldn't suggest you fertilize them again--it can lead to additional stress.
I really think this is drought stress. Do you see how the grass outside of the dripline is spaced out? This means the plants are naturally spacing themselves due to lack of water. I agree that the drip lines should be placed at the dripline of the tree, but spruce do need a lot of water.
If it's easier, simply drag a hose and sprinkler to the trees and water them well every week or two during the growing season. Also do this once per month in fall and winter.
Our snows usually don't contain a lot of moisture, and as you pointed out, these trees are very exposed to wind, so they are losing more moisture. I don't know if the top will recover--evergreens are unique in how they form buds. But watering them adequately will help.
I wouldn't suggest you fertilize them again--it can lead to additional stress.
