Ponderosa Pine Problem - Ask Extension
I have a smallish first-year Ponderosa Pine sapling exhibiting dead & curled shoots on 3 of 10 total growing tips. The remainder seem to be fine. ...
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Ponderosa Pine Problem #873039
Asked June 13, 2024, 7:36 PM EDT
I have a smallish first-year Ponderosa Pine sapling exhibiting dead & curled shoots on 3 of 10 total growing tips. The remainder seem to be fine. Three questions: 1. Is this a sign of disease? 2. Should these dead shoots be removed? 3. If so, how will removing them affect the young tree's subsequent growth?
Thanks so much!
Clackamas County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Linda and thanks for your question about your Ponderosa pine's dead branch tips. Your picture is "moving" so I can't really look closely. I'll attach an article that talks about the stresses Ponderosa pines have been undergoing and the fact that there are about 200 insects that can attack the tree.
https://www.nuggetnews.com/story/2018/09/25/news/theres-trouble-with-the-trees/28802.html
You could call an ISA certified arborist to come look at the tree, but I would probably keep it watered this summer and wait to see if it recovers on its own. It is a very young tree, so it may be fine next year, or it may be on its way out... time will tell.
https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist
Good luck,
https://www.nuggetnews.com/story/2018/09/25/news/theres-trouble-with-the-trees/28802.html
You could call an ISA certified arborist to come look at the tree, but I would probably keep it watered this summer and wait to see if it recovers on its own. It is a very young tree, so it may be fine next year, or it may be on its way out... time will tell.
https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist
Good luck,
I will keep it well watered than wait & see what happens next year but do you think I should prune off the dead sprouts or leave them on the tree? I'm worried that if disease is present, it might spread to the healthy branches. Thanks again for your help!
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Date: Fri, Jun 14, 2024, 6:15 PM
Subject: Re: Ponderosa Pine Problem (#0142957)
To: Linda Baity <<personal data hidden>>
From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Date: Fri, Jun 14, 2024, 6:15 PM
Subject: Re: Ponderosa Pine Problem (#0142957)
To: Linda Baity <<personal data hidden>>
Hi Linda- If disease is present, it is probably too late so you could prune off the dead tips for a better tree visually. The tree will take care of deciding if it can fight off the disease or insects at this point, but you will feel better if you aren't reminded of the problem all the time. Go ahead and prune!
