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Dying needles/branches #831277

Asked May 22, 2023, 9:07 AM EDT

Good afternoon, I’m not sure where to direct this question so please feel free to forward to proper department or individual. We have a number of blue spruce is that this year we’ve noticed that on the lower branches in the middle of the needle it’s starting to turn brown, and then the entire branch eventually dies. I’m assuming it’s some sort of fungus, but not sure. What do we use to treat those trees as I have a number of  trees that are showing that affect. Also, on some of them it looks like on the trunk and the branch has a green coating that again eventually kills the entire branch and we’ve had 20-25 foot trees that have completely died up to the top. Any idea how they can be treated to stop the damage short of having to destroy the tree. I appreciate your help. Thank you.

Newaygo County Michigan

Compost Tea for Fruit Trees? #830313

Asked May 16, 2023, 10:26 AM EDT

Hi there! I'm thinking I should give my plum and pear trees some nutrients this year and wondering the best way to do it. I was thinking of doing the compost tea thing but a bit confused of what I should use and how to make it. Is manure compost ok (I usually use Vermont Compost Co.)? What ratio should I use? Do you need to heat it up? Thank you!

Washington County Vermont

Compost #826226

Asked April 18, 2023, 5:54 PM EDT

Do pine needles ever disintegrate in compost? If I put compost that has pine needles in my garden (tomatoes, pole beans, carrots, beets, cucumbers), is it going to make the soil too acidic? Is it alright to put the pine needle compost around a rhododendron bush, and roses?

Boulder County Colorado

Needles for berries #817341

Asked December 07, 2022, 5:35 PM EST

I usually use pine needles to mulch my berry plants (blue and rasp). I'm not finding many this year but have a source for giant sequoia needles. Will these work and is there anything different I should do? I usually just pile them on or around the plants. I'm concerned that the sequoia might not be too dense or thick and might not break down. thanks for your response.

Lane County Oregon

Anaerobic Compost with Aerobic Compost #816227

Asked November 10, 2022, 12:40 AM EST

In the flurry of taking care of work, family, dead tree removal, and crawl space renovation I left two very large bins with attached lid full of grass clippings for a couple of months. I rediscovered them yesterday and when I popped the lid the smell of ammonia almost knocked me down. It was so strong I didn't get a good look at the state of the clippings. Doing basic research it looks like the grass clippings are in anaerobic decomposition. Most of what I found online were various versions of how this was not good and should be avoided at all costs. That ship has already sailed so would it be possible or advisable to add this to all of brown materials, e.g., fallen leaves, wood chips, cardboard that I have gathered for aerobic decomposition? Is there a better way to use these decomposing grass clippings?

Multnomah County Oregon

PINE NEEDLES #815483

Asked October 29, 2022, 10:28 AM EDT

In the fall my backyard is carpeted with pine needles. Leaves can be turned into leaf mulch after time. Are pine needles of any use in my garden or yard?

Cuyahoga County Ohio

Red Pine #813827

Asked October 10, 2022, 3:32 PM EDT

I have a large red pine that is split about 4-5 ft off the ground with 2 main trunks. Each trunk is about 24-30 in in diameter. My cabin is about 8 ft away. Should I be concerned that this tree could fall on my cabin? It appears healthy overall.



Ogemaw County Michigan

Ponderosa pine needles #813168

Asked October 04, 2022, 2:22 PM EDT

What's happening to the Ponderosa pines around Bend? I'm seeing lots with browning needles, including in my yard in Deschutes River Woods. Is this something that can be addressed?

Deschutes County Oregon

Normal or Disease? (Pine trees) #812831

Asked October 01, 2022, 3:23 PM EDT

Hi. We have two pine trees right next to our house that are showing browning needles in a seemingly regular pattern. Images attached. Is this normal or do we need to take the trees down or something else? Thanks?



Deschutes County Oregon

Mugo pine losing needles #811860

Asked September 22, 2022, 5:10 PM EDT

Hello, We live in Lakeview Oregon and planted four 15 yr old mugo pines - pinus mugo fastigiata - last year. One is losing needles (browning) from the center trunk out, the others are showing a few branches with the same issue. The browning started this spring. We did have an issue this year with pine sawyer beetles (google image search of this bug), and didn't realize they could be susceptible to pine wilt, so we didn't pre treat with a systemic. All trees were planted in area that we felt provided a well drained area for their roots, and were watered per the instructions of the grower since planting. Two questions - 1) is this possible pine wilt (due to the parasite of the pine sawyer beetle or some other issue that possibly an arborist would need to see? 2) how can we save our mugo pines, including insecticides? (they are not near a water source, but preferably one that doesn't harm birds}. I've attached some pictures that might help. Many thanks, Mary Dax



Lake County Oregon