We have three white pines, originally planted in fall, 2018. Two of them died and were replaced in fall 2019. The landscapers who replaced them told u...
Knowledgebase
Ailing White Pines #753341
Asked June 01, 2021, 4:35 PM EDT
We have three white pines, originally planted in fall, 2018. Two of them died and were replaced in fall 2019. The landscapers who replaced them told us they died because of poor drainage. They are planted in mostly clay, in a fairly low area. I dug a trench about 18" deep and installed a french drain which runs off into a ditch. When I penetrated the root ball hole with the trench, it was full of water but drained into the french drain. Now, the two replacement trees look like they are dying. In the attached photos, the tree on the far right is the original survivor, which appears to be in good health. The center one is the worst, so the closeup photos are of it (back side). Does this look like it could still be a drainage problem?
Livingston CountyMichigan
Expert Response
It could still be a drainage issue, especially if those roots are in a heavy, compacted clay soil. You could try and inspect the roots to see if soil conditions are affecting them. Healthy roots will be white and unhealthy roots will be brown, mushy or brittle. This would be a clear indicator of how those roots are functioning, which will affect above ground growth.
I would also look for any signs of insects or disease in the trees, just in case. Trace those dead branches back to the trunk of the tree (or where the die back beings) to look for any holes, oozing or dried sap, sunken spots along the branch or trunk.
I dug down and checked the roots, and they seemed healthy - I didn't disturb the main roots, but the peripheral ones looked OK. They also were not saturated with water, so my French drain appears to be working.
I did discover some oozing sap, and a large coating of white stuff (dried sap?) on the trunk. Attaching a couple of photos. How can I determine the cause of that? I also see a small amount of white "drips" on the trunks of the other two healthier white pines.
I'd appreciate any suggestions on next steps. Thanks in advance!
Thank you for the photos. This looks like a type of canker to me or possibly white pine blister rust, but I would get a second opinion from a plant pathologist if you could. Or, have a consulting arborist come out and take a look in person. They may also be able to help you implement a management plan as well. You can find a local arborist using the International Society of Arboriculture site: Find an Arborist
