Mugo Pine - Ask Extension
Hi. I have 3 Mugo pines in my HOA area that were planted about a month ago. They are now turning brown and dropping their needles. Watering is taki...
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Mugo Pine #764891
Asked July 30, 2021, 9:16 PM EDT
Hi. I have 3 Mugo pines in my HOA area that were planted about a month ago. They are now turning brown and dropping their needles. Watering is taking place with drip system, 30 minutes, twice a day. There was a stretch of time where the trees did not get watered properly. Any suggestions?
Thank you!
Amy M McCord
El Paso County Colorado
Expert Response
I need more information. Can you tell me how long it went without water, what is the soil like? When were they planted?
What are the sun conditions at the site? Are there other plants around that may have been treated with herbicides?
What are the sun conditions at the site? Are there other plants around that may have been treated with herbicides?
Hi Freddie,
The three Mugo Pines sat in their containers probably 5 days without water (that is just a guess). The soil is a mixture of clay and sand--I am planning testing different sections of the area. The pines planted dur the very hot stretch of weather in June. They receive morning to mid afternoon sun. No herbicides used. However, the plants were moved once from their original spot. I have been checking on them every day and monitor the soil for water. They are getting water through a drip line , 2X's a day, for 30 minutes--this just starting a week ago. They were watered by hand prior to the drip line.
Thanks so much for your insight!
Amy
Just went to look at the pines--the needles seem to be dying from the bottom of the trunk, moving up the trunk and out on the branch .
From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Thursday, August 5, 2021 8:00 AM
To: amymccord <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Mugo Pine (#0034822)
Sent: Thursday, August 5, 2021 8:00 AM
To: amymccord <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Mugo Pine (#0034822)
Hi Amy
I suspect these shrubs are suffering from transplant shock. Sitting in pots for several days without water probably started the process. If I understand you correctly it was planted once, then moved to a different location.
It would be really helpful to understand the soil conditions and the approach to planting. If the soil is clay, watering twice a day for 30 minutes is way too much, even with a drip. The plants may be sitting in a swamp, clay drains very poorly. When roots are too wet they cannot access oxygen in the soil. You can get a good idea of whether the water is accumulating in the hole by simply looking at the soil around the plant. The soil should be fairly dry at the top and barely moist a few inches down before watering starts.
When the shrubs were put in did you did a hole 2 to 3 times the width of the pot? The ideal planting hole is that wide an no deeper than the depth of the root-ball, a saucer shape is ideal. Did you amend the soil when planting? Whether sandy or clay adding some organic matter when planting is often helpful in irrigation management.
At this point the steps I would take are the following:
1. Do the best you can to evaluate whether the shrubs are getting too much water, adjust irrigation according to that. I suspect the soil is holding too much water.
2. Apply an inch or two of mulch around the plant, do not pile it up around the trunk.
3. You might want to provide a bit of shade over the plants if possible, this might be something like a lawn chair during the hottest parts of the day, temporary.
4. As winter approaches you want to be sure to winter water these plants, you might also want to give them a little wind protection, perhaps some pine boughs loosely covering them, or some lightweight floating row cover cloth. That cloth will provide enough sunlight penetration, while slowing down winter desiccation.
Here are some resources you might want to look at:
I suspect these shrubs are suffering from transplant shock. Sitting in pots for several days without water probably started the process. If I understand you correctly it was planted once, then moved to a different location.
It would be really helpful to understand the soil conditions and the approach to planting. If the soil is clay, watering twice a day for 30 minutes is way too much, even with a drip. The plants may be sitting in a swamp, clay drains very poorly. When roots are too wet they cannot access oxygen in the soil. You can get a good idea of whether the water is accumulating in the hole by simply looking at the soil around the plant. The soil should be fairly dry at the top and barely moist a few inches down before watering starts.
When the shrubs were put in did you did a hole 2 to 3 times the width of the pot? The ideal planting hole is that wide an no deeper than the depth of the root-ball, a saucer shape is ideal. Did you amend the soil when planting? Whether sandy or clay adding some organic matter when planting is often helpful in irrigation management.
At this point the steps I would take are the following:
1. Do the best you can to evaluate whether the shrubs are getting too much water, adjust irrigation according to that. I suspect the soil is holding too much water.
2. Apply an inch or two of mulch around the plant, do not pile it up around the trunk.
3. You might want to provide a bit of shade over the plants if possible, this might be something like a lawn chair during the hottest parts of the day, temporary.
4. As winter approaches you want to be sure to winter water these plants, you might also want to give them a little wind protection, perhaps some pine boughs loosely covering them, or some lightweight floating row cover cloth. That cloth will provide enough sunlight penetration, while slowing down winter desiccation.
Here are some resources you might want to look at:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/fall-and-winter-watering-7-211/
https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/trees-shrubs-vines/1711-planting-trees-shrubs/
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/mulches-for-home-grounds-7-214/
I hope this helpful.
