Knowledgebase
My Sickly Pine Tree #800381
Asked July 10, 2022, 4:41 PM EDT
Kent County Michigan
Expert Response
Thank you for contacting Ask Extension! This is a spruce tree, and the injury could be from either a branch canker or an insect. In either case, trees that are under chronic or acute stress are more likely to succumb to disease and insects.
Try to reduce environmental stress as much as possible. Consider applying 2-3 inches of mulch, such as pine needles or wood chips, under the tree starting several inches out from the trunk and extending to the drip line. Mulch will help conserve moisture during dry
conditions and reduce temperature swings in the soil. If possible, irrigate deeply (1 inch of water) once per week during prolonged hot, dry conditions—but do not overwater, as this will also stress the tree. You might also consider applying a low rate of nitrogen fertilizer (1 lb N per 1,000 sq ft) under the tree canopy, or spread evenly around the drip line of the tree. Fertilizer should be watered in, or spread before rain is expected. You could consider
getting a soil test, which would let you know the soil pH (acidic for pines) and whether there are any nutrients lacking: https://homesoiltest.msu.edu/.
You may consider sending samples to the MSU Plant Diagnostics lab for analysis. You may also reply with one photo showing an overview of the entire tree, and additional photos showing the damaged shoots or branches up close, so I can get a better look.
Hmm... well now it looks like galls left by the eastern spruce gall adelgid. Since the pictures aren't really clear, you will need to verify that those are in fact galls, which look like little pineapples at the base of the dead twigs at the ends of each branch. I will provide links to more information and a photo to compare. The information includes treatment options, including spraying in the spring.
Photo to compare: Spruce gall adelgid with photos
More information:
Scout your fields for cooley and eastern spruce gall adelgids
OK, insect development is based on temperature, and we have models that predict the development stage. Those models help us know exactly when to spray or otherwise treat to control a pest. Here is the link to the model for Walker, MI: Walker Michigan Eastern Spruce Gall Adelgid Model. You can select a different weather station, if there is one closer to you, and use this model to know when to act.
We are currently at 1313 GDD, which means that the galls will open shortly (some may have already). You could hand clip off all of the galls before they open, or treat with a registered insecticide either shortly after the galls have opened (1500 - 1600 GDD on that model), or in the spring just before bud break (25 - 100 GDD).
Happy to help! Your tree will hopefully look a lot better next year.
Dear Franklin,
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YOUR QUESTION #0070312:
My Sickly Pine Tree
Hello, I noticed a few years ago that my pine tree’s needles are turning brown & the branches are dying. The condition appears to be getting worse. Can you help identify the likely cause & if there is help the tree? Thank you!Ask Extension offers one-to-one expert answers from Cooperative Extension/University staff and volunteers within participating Land-Grant institutions across the United States.
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Since it's a fresh wound, you can press the torn pieces that are still connected back into place and fasten with grafting bands, grafting tape, or some other kind of stretchy material that will hold it firmly in place, but allow for some expansion. Line it up carefully, tape it, and leave it in place for several weeks. You can then carefully peel back a bit of the tape to see if it looks like it is healing. It could take several months to really bind together well enough for the tape to be removed. It needs to be lined up well and held firmly in place. Even properly done, it may or may not heal properly.
There really isn't anything an arborist can do for you in this case. Maples are pretty tough, but check on it periodically to make sure it is slowly healing, and not showing any signs of infection, or anything that just looks off.
You are most welcome!
