Knowledgebase
Our Austrian Pine has branches that are drying up and dying, what can we do? #804677
Asked August 04, 2022, 4:52 PM EDT
Klamath County Oregon
Expert Response
Although you do indicate you are losing needles and branches, that in and of itself doesn't mean you will lose the tree. The average pine tree looses 1/3 of its needles yearly. This variety of tree is susceptible to wind. Is it in a windy area?
Also are the needles you are loosing primarily on the lowest branches? This could indicate a fungal disease. The symptoms would be:
- Needles of new shoots remain stunted, turn straw-colored and are glued in place from excess resin.
- Mature needles on branches killed by girdling cankers turn tan and die.
- Sticky, clear-to-white resin is found on killed twigs, the main stem or branches with cankers.
- Brown needles and dead shoots and branches are usually found in the lower part of the tree.
- Tiny, black, pimple-like, spore-producing structures (pycnidia) can be found at the base of dead needles, on cone scales, or on twig and/or branch bark.
When you water it, do you water at the edge of the canopy? And how much water does it get. Large trees like this should get a long watering several times versus a little every day. My husband gives our pine trees almost a hour of water periodically at the canopy edge. Water down the trunk is not a good method.
Austrian pine is known as the black pine, and black on the trunk isnt of itself an issue, unless these are wounds and you would then see seeping of pitch.
If you can help me with more information I can see if this is a disease or simply a matter of a stressed tree that needs more water
Thank you
Thank you for answering my question so fast.
There is dark honey/white pitch flowing from the black patches on the tree.
It is a very windy area. Also, very hot and dry here.
I see that the needles of new shoots do not remain stunted, turn straw-colored and then orange and fall to the ground, they are not glued in place from excess resin.
Mature needles on branches seem to be killed by branches that have scaly dry bark that curls up. I do not see any girdling cankers.
Is ticky, clear-to-white resin is found on killed twigs, the main stem or branches with cankers? no.
Are the brown needles and dead shoots and branches are usually found in the lower part of the tree - yes.
Are tiny, black, pimple-like, spore-producing structures (pycnidia) can be found at the base of dead needles, on cone scales, or on twig and/or branch bark - no.
We water near the base and under the branches because the tree is surrounded by concrete driveway, walkway, wall, and street. It is also on a slope.
He waters it long periods every three days in the summer and late spring early summer.
Thank you for your time on this tree. Bev Battis
Which leaves water stress. Unfortunately for you, the way to properly water a large tree is at the canopy edge. That is the root structure that needs the water. If your canopy edges are under concrete then that could be the problem. Simply not enough water. I do not know how to advise you since breaking through the concrete is not an option i am sure. I think at this point you need to do your best to relieve stress on your tree but keep a close watch on it as stressed trees are more susceptible to insect damage.
If you really want expert advice on trees, perhaps consulting an arborist is the best answer.
This is about the best advice my limited tree knowledge can give.
We only have tiny to small "piles of pitch". We will try watering as close to the canopy edge as possible. Thanks for your detailed response. Will contact an arborist if that does not relieve the stress.
https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/E-40/E-40.html
