My pine trees are dying at the bottom but healthy at the top and one is dead at the top but healthy at the bottom - Ask Extension
My pine trees appear to be dying at the bottom and one of them at the top. Also the branches on one appear almost purple. I don't know if they need mo...
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My pine trees are dying at the bottom but healthy at the top and one is dead at the top but healthy at the bottom #833776
Asked June 05, 2023, 9:21 AM EDT
My pine trees appear to be dying at the bottom and one of them at the top. Also the branches on one appear almost purple. I don't know if they need more water fertilizer or their root bound. Thank you
Wayne County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
The bottom needles dying off is caused by needlecast, which is a fungal infection that attacks blue spruce trees. The spores for the fungal infection are always present in Michigan; cool wet nights help the spores infect the older needles on blue spruce, especially near the bottom, where air doesn't flow as easily. You can treat the new growth as it elongates each year to prevent the new growth from becoming infected. And while the old needles will not grow back, keeping the new growth healthy will create a more full appearance on the tree. You can read more about needlecast at this link.
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/rhizosphaera-needle-cast
You may need to assistance of an arborist for treatment. You can locate a certified arborist at this link:
https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist
If you choose to use a service other than a certified arborist, please take the time to double check the exact chemical or ingredients they plan to spray on the tree and compare with the information in the article above.
I'm not quite able to make out the purple branches on the tree. If the entire branch near the top is purple, it may be unrelated to needlecast. If possible, please try to take another picture and send it along.
Thank you,
-Julie
The bottom needles dying off is caused by needlecast, which is a fungal infection that attacks blue spruce trees. The spores for the fungal infection are always present in Michigan; cool wet nights help the spores infect the older needles on blue spruce, especially near the bottom, where air doesn't flow as easily. You can treat the new growth as it elongates each year to prevent the new growth from becoming infected. And while the old needles will not grow back, keeping the new growth healthy will create a more full appearance on the tree. You can read more about needlecast at this link.
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/rhizosphaera-needle-cast
You may need to assistance of an arborist for treatment. You can locate a certified arborist at this link:
https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist
If you choose to use a service other than a certified arborist, please take the time to double check the exact chemical or ingredients they plan to spray on the tree and compare with the information in the article above.
I'm not quite able to make out the purple branches on the tree. If the entire branch near the top is purple, it may be unrelated to needlecast. If possible, please try to take another picture and send it along.
Thank you,
-Julie
