Austrian Pine Damage - Ask Extension
Some of our Austrian pines, planted 20 years ago as part of a wind break on 40 acres appear to be dying. Can you help us determine what might be wron...
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Austrian Pine Damage #867022
Asked May 04, 2024, 3:07 PM EDT
Some of our Austrian pines, planted 20 years ago as part of a wind break on 40 acres appear to be dying. Can you help us determine what might be wrong and what we can do to save/help them. I've attached three photos. Thank you.
Weld County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Scott,
Thank you for reaching out to the Weld County Master Gardeners. I am sorry to hear about your Austrian Pines. I have a couple thoughts of what might be happening.
First, is winter watering. Coniferous trees can suffer from lack of water during the winter months, due to the fact that they don't drop leaves. They need more winter watering than deciduous plants. So if there has been any change in their access to water, that could be the culprit. Here is a great resource for winter watering of established trees: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/fall-and-winter-watering-7-211/
The second possibility isn't as easily solved. Austrian Pines can be victims to specific type of pest that causes Pine Wilt Disease. Here is a good resource for this disease to help you identify it and what to do if it is this disease - https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/pine-wilt-disease-2-915/
Hope this helps and please let us know if you have any additional questions.
Sara
Thank you for reaching out to the Weld County Master Gardeners. I am sorry to hear about your Austrian Pines. I have a couple thoughts of what might be happening.
First, is winter watering. Coniferous trees can suffer from lack of water during the winter months, due to the fact that they don't drop leaves. They need more winter watering than deciduous plants. So if there has been any change in their access to water, that could be the culprit. Here is a great resource for winter watering of established trees: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/fall-and-winter-watering-7-211/
The second possibility isn't as easily solved. Austrian Pines can be victims to specific type of pest that causes Pine Wilt Disease. Here is a good resource for this disease to help you identify it and what to do if it is this disease - https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/pine-wilt-disease-2-915/
Hope this helps and please let us know if you have any additional questions.
Sara
