White Pine turning brown - Ask Extension
We had 4, 6’ white pines, and 2 Norway Spruce planted in May. They all looked very healthy. Lately 2 of the pines have been turning brown and droppi...
Knowledgebase
White Pine turning brown #845066
Asked August 10, 2023, 10:03 AM EDT
We had 4, 6’ white pines, and 2 Norway Spruce planted in May. They all looked very healthy. Lately 2 of the pines have been turning brown and dropping needles. One worse than the other. Our soil is clay, they brought in top soil for around the trees, and mounded it slightly. We also had hydro seed planted, shortly after the trees. We watered the lawn and trees daily (sometimes 3x daily on the very hot days).
When we get a heavy rain water tends to sit around the 2 trees that are having issues. These are beautiful trees, what can we do to save them?
St. Clair County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
According to Michigan State University Extension, there are several common causes of needle browning in pines. Depending on the type of pine tree, there are several common causes of needle browning in pines. The most common pines in residential and commercial landscapes in Michigan are eastern white pine, Austrian pine, and Scots (or Scotch) pine. Unlike many other conifers, needles on pine trees are clustered together in groups called fascicles. Determining the number of needles in a fascicle is the first step in identifying pines. White pines have five needles in each fascicle. The needles are thin and soft and often pale green. White pines have long (4” or longer) slender cones. Environmental-related issues such as road salt damage can cause needle browning in white pine.
Ok, I want to make ABSOLUTELY sure this is an eastern white pine - White pines have five needles in each fascicle. The needles are thin and soft and often pale green. White pines have long (4” or longer), slender cones. If you want, send me a clear and close-up image.
PLEASE READ AND LOOK AT THE IMAGES IN THIS ARTICLE: Why are my pine trees turning brown? - Knowing which species of pine you have and the time of year you first see symptoms can help you identify the problem - Michigan State University at this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/why_are_my_pine_trees_turning_brown
PLEASE LET ME KNOW, AND I WILL GET BACK TO YOU RIGHT AWAY -THANK YOU!!
According to Michigan State University Extension, there are several common causes of needle browning in pines. Depending on the type of pine tree, there are several common causes of needle browning in pines. The most common pines in residential and commercial landscapes in Michigan are eastern white pine, Austrian pine, and Scots (or Scotch) pine. Unlike many other conifers, needles on pine trees are clustered together in groups called fascicles. Determining the number of needles in a fascicle is the first step in identifying pines. White pines have five needles in each fascicle. The needles are thin and soft and often pale green. White pines have long (4” or longer) slender cones. Environmental-related issues such as road salt damage can cause needle browning in white pine.
Ok, I want to make ABSOLUTELY sure this is an eastern white pine - White pines have five needles in each fascicle. The needles are thin and soft and often pale green. White pines have long (4” or longer), slender cones. If you want, send me a clear and close-up image.
PLEASE READ AND LOOK AT THE IMAGES IN THIS ARTICLE: Why are my pine trees turning brown? - Knowing which species of pine you have and the time of year you first see symptoms can help you identify the problem - Michigan State University at this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/why_are_my_pine_trees_turning_brown
PLEASE LET ME KNOW, AND I WILL GET BACK TO YOU RIGHT AWAY -THANK YOU!!
Yes, it is definitely an Eastern White Pine. It started turning brown and losing needles about a month ago. It doesn’t seem to fit with the article you forwarded. I don’t see brown spots, just a turning brown of the needle.
The trees were planted by a landscaper. As I mentioned in my first post, the ground is clay with topsoil added.
What can we do to heal it?
The trees with the issue are the two on the right. With the worst one being the one farthest right.
Trying to show the slope of the ground. The white pines at the back of our property are the ones with the problems.
On Aug 10, 2023, at 1:50 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Hello Again,
Thanks for the additional images!
Several things can cause browning needles on white pine. The most common thing is the natural browning and dropping of the older inner needles. Needles that are 4-6 years old will be yellow, then brown, and drop in the fall.
It is normal for conifers to drop their oldest needles in the fall. This annual shedding occurs on all trees at about the same time and always occurs in the fall. If this is the case for your tree, there is nothing for you to do. Just give the tree 'good care' by mulching and watering, as noted below under 'drought stress.'
An abnormal needle drop would occur in the spring or summer, affecting only one or a few trees rather than all or most of them.
Another common issue is drought stress. Last year’s drought, and this year’s lower-than-normal rainfall in September, can cause the trees to brown and drop more needles than usual. Provide a 2-3 inch deep mulch from the trunk to the edge of the tree’s branches (without the mulch touching the trunk of the tree); and slow, deep watering of the root zone all the way around the tree ( a soaker hose is a good way) during times of drought- be careful not to flood the root zone, especially if you have clay soil.
Poor conditions in the root zone can cause pines to lose needles early- and possibly kill the tree. Watch for compacted soil, standing water or flooding, cutting major roots, parking vehicles on the roots, etc.
Injury from de-icing salt also causes the death of white pine needles and branches. Symptoms from salt show up on the side of the tree closest to the salted road. Trees closest to the road are most severely injured.
There are needle blights that can affect white pine- here is a link to an article about blight. It was written for Christmas tree farmers, but the disease symptoms can be compared to your situation http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/managing_dothistroma_and_brown_needle_blight_on_pines
If you think a disease is involved, you can confirm this in a couple of ways. You can send a sample to MSU’s diagnostic lab for a fee- see www.pestid.msu.edu for fees, how to send samples, etc. It is a good idea to call the lab for instructions if you aren't sure how to take a sample for them.
Lab email: <personal data hidden>
Lab phone:<personal data hidden>
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Every sample must be accompanied by a completed submission form. Please place the form in a separate resealable bag to prevent it from getting damp or soiled. The form is at this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/uploads/files/General_Sample_Submission_Form_May2022.pdf.
Complete details of submitting a sample are at this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/submit-samples/
Or you can consult a certified arborist, who will come on-site, evaluate the trees as a whole, and give a diagnosis and a plant health care guide. See www.treesaregood.com and click on the ‘Find a Tree Care Service’ tab at the top of the page. Contact 2-3 arborists and get estimates.
The direct link is:
https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/arboristsearch
As you can see, there are many factors that can be in play. If you have more questions, please update this question again. Thank you for using our service.
Thanks for the additional images!
Several things can cause browning needles on white pine. The most common thing is the natural browning and dropping of the older inner needles. Needles that are 4-6 years old will be yellow, then brown, and drop in the fall.
It is normal for conifers to drop their oldest needles in the fall. This annual shedding occurs on all trees at about the same time and always occurs in the fall. If this is the case for your tree, there is nothing for you to do. Just give the tree 'good care' by mulching and watering, as noted below under 'drought stress.'
An abnormal needle drop would occur in the spring or summer, affecting only one or a few trees rather than all or most of them.
Another common issue is drought stress. Last year’s drought, and this year’s lower-than-normal rainfall in September, can cause the trees to brown and drop more needles than usual. Provide a 2-3 inch deep mulch from the trunk to the edge of the tree’s branches (without the mulch touching the trunk of the tree); and slow, deep watering of the root zone all the way around the tree ( a soaker hose is a good way) during times of drought- be careful not to flood the root zone, especially if you have clay soil.
Poor conditions in the root zone can cause pines to lose needles early- and possibly kill the tree. Watch for compacted soil, standing water or flooding, cutting major roots, parking vehicles on the roots, etc.
Injury from de-icing salt also causes the death of white pine needles and branches. Symptoms from salt show up on the side of the tree closest to the salted road. Trees closest to the road are most severely injured.
There are needle blights that can affect white pine- here is a link to an article about blight. It was written for Christmas tree farmers, but the disease symptoms can be compared to your situation http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/managing_dothistroma_and_brown_needle_blight_on_pines
If you think a disease is involved, you can confirm this in a couple of ways. You can send a sample to MSU’s diagnostic lab for a fee- see www.pestid.msu.edu for fees, how to send samples, etc. It is a good idea to call the lab for instructions if you aren't sure how to take a sample for them.
Lab email: <personal data hidden>
Lab phone:<personal data hidden>
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Every sample must be accompanied by a completed submission form. Please place the form in a separate resealable bag to prevent it from getting damp or soiled. The form is at this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/uploads/files/General_Sample_Submission_Form_May2022.pdf.
Complete details of submitting a sample are at this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/submit-samples/
Or you can consult a certified arborist, who will come on-site, evaluate the trees as a whole, and give a diagnosis and a plant health care guide. See www.treesaregood.com and click on the ‘Find a Tree Care Service’ tab at the top of the page. Contact 2-3 arborists and get estimates.
The direct link is:
https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/arboristsearch
As you can see, there are many factors that can be in play. If you have more questions, please update this question again. Thank you for using our service.
