diease? drought? - Ask Extension
Last year we lost two of these shrubs...mungo pines? ....and another is turning brown. Do you know what is causing this or how to address the p...
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diease? drought? #863474
Asked April 05, 2024, 3:33 PM EDT
Last year we lost two of these shrubs...mungo pines? ....and another is turning brown. Do you know what is causing this or how to address the problem? photo attached
Jefferson County Colorado
Expert Response
Thanks for contacting the Jefferson county extension master gardener diagnostic team.
It is not possible to diagnose the cause of the browning needles from these photographs. Full or partially brown needles near the ends of branches can be a symptom of desiccation from wind and lack of adequate soil moisture but could also indicate the presence of disease or insect infestation.
It would be best to bring some of these affected branches showing healthy and brown needles to the Extension office so we can look for evidence of insect or disease problems. You should also provide photos showing the whole shrubs so we can see the location/pattern and extent of damage. Email the photos to the Jefferson county clinic: <personal data hidden> and include the number of this AskExtension query: 0133397. We will want to see if the growing tips are supple and will expand to grow new needles.
Please be prepared to answer questions on the sample intake form:
Do you see the growing tips ('candles') starting to expand on any of the branches?
Where in the yard are these growing - which side of the property? compass orientation (south, west, etc.) Are they exposed to wind?
Describe the damage to the plants you lost last year
Describe your irrigation regimen for these plants - in summer and in winter
The Jeffco extension office is in the Fairgrounds, 15200 west 6th avenue, Golden 80401. The office is open Tuesday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm; the main office phone number is<personal data hidden>.
We look forward to seeing the sample and hope we can determine the cause of the needle damage.
Pat B
It is not possible to diagnose the cause of the browning needles from these photographs. Full or partially brown needles near the ends of branches can be a symptom of desiccation from wind and lack of adequate soil moisture but could also indicate the presence of disease or insect infestation.
It would be best to bring some of these affected branches showing healthy and brown needles to the Extension office so we can look for evidence of insect or disease problems. You should also provide photos showing the whole shrubs so we can see the location/pattern and extent of damage. Email the photos to the Jefferson county clinic: <personal data hidden> and include the number of this AskExtension query: 0133397. We will want to see if the growing tips are supple and will expand to grow new needles.
Please be prepared to answer questions on the sample intake form:
Do you see the growing tips ('candles') starting to expand on any of the branches?
Where in the yard are these growing - which side of the property? compass orientation (south, west, etc.) Are they exposed to wind?
Describe the damage to the plants you lost last year
Describe your irrigation regimen for these plants - in summer and in winter
The Jeffco extension office is in the Fairgrounds, 15200 west 6th avenue, Golden 80401. The office is open Tuesday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm; the main office phone number is<personal data hidden>.
We look forward to seeing the sample and hope we can determine the cause of the needle damage.
Pat B
