Pine trees loosing inter needles - Ask Extension
My (Black Forest) 15 year old pine trees are loosing the internal needles and thinning bad. I have had professionals treat them and applied a fungicid...
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Pine trees loosing inter needles #826852
Asked April 23, 2023, 8:37 PM EDT
My (Black Forest) 15 year old pine trees are loosing the internal needles and thinning bad. I have had professionals treat them and applied a fungicide for the past 3 years. Trees are getting worse. Any advice if they can be saved.
Lucas County Ohio
Expert Response
Hello. Do you happen to have any photos of the trees that you could share - either on this, or email them directly to <personal data hidden>
Thanks - Amy
Thanks - Amy
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Available until May 26, 2023
Dave Miller
<personal data hidden>
On Apr 26, 2023, at 10:40 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Thank you for the photos! Unfortunately, they resemble a lot of evergreens in the region. The good news is that the spruce appear to be pushing new growth.
A soil test could shed some light if there is a nutrient defiency, or a pH issue - too low, or too high.
How old do you think the plants are? As they age, bear inner branches become the normal. It is only when the foliage on the outside is thin that we see in and notice the bear branches.
How about sunlight - often the shady side of the tree, either from competion or natural shade, compounds the issue.
What disease where they treating for - has this seem to lessen?
Another thing to add into the mix is planting new plants that could ultimately take over for the aging spruce - even with the best care, they won't live forever. The soil test results can help guide future selections too - choosing plants that will thrive with your soil conditions.
Hope this helps! Amy
A soil test could shed some light if there is a nutrient defiency, or a pH issue - too low, or too high.
How old do you think the plants are? As they age, bear inner branches become the normal. It is only when the foliage on the outside is thin that we see in and notice the bear branches.
How about sunlight - often the shady side of the tree, either from competion or natural shade, compounds the issue.
What disease where they treating for - has this seem to lessen?
Another thing to add into the mix is planting new plants that could ultimately take over for the aging spruce - even with the best care, they won't live forever. The soil test results can help guide future selections too - choosing plants that will thrive with your soil conditions.
Hope this helps! Amy
