Austrian Pine Dead Tips - Ask Extension
We have a new (1 year old) Austrian Pine that was professionally planted last spring. This year we have noticed a few of the branches the needles at...
Knowledgebase
Austrian Pine Dead Tips #873253
Asked June 15, 2024, 4:16 PM EDT
We have a new (1 year old) Austrian Pine that was professionally planted last spring. This year we have noticed a few of the branches the needles at the end are dying. The tree is hooked up to drip that is run every night. We are at 6800 feet and the tree gets Full sun and is exposed to winds. Looking to see if this is a disease or just damage to the limbs. If it is disease or fungus is there anything we can do to save the tree?
Thank you.
Douglas County Colorado
Expert Response
A few addition images.
Thank you for your question and for sending photos.
Overall the tree looks like it is healthy with just a few branches that have browning needles on the end. A few observations:
1. The mulch looks like it is right up to the trunk and I can't tell how thick the mulch is surrounding the trunk. It should be no more that 2-3" deep and it should not be right up against the trunk. I cannot see the base of the trunk to look for the flare of the trunk which you should be able to see at ground level. This is an indication of whether or not the tree is planted too deeply. You could take the mulch away from the trunk and look for the flare yourself.
2.The tree is surrounded by rock. Is there landscape fabric under the rock and the area where the tree is planted? Over time landscape fabric will get clogged with debris and water will be unable to get through the fabric so this could eventually affect the health of the tree. Here is information on the care if new trees:
https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/635.pdf
3. Where is the drip line that is watering the tree? If it is right against the trunk you may want to move it out to the drip line of the tree. This is where the feeder roots will be. Also keep in mind the tree roots will extend out into the rock and you will need to move the drip line accordingly. The landscape fabric may become an issue as noted in #2. Do you check the ground moisture to see if the tree needs water? You can take a long screwdriver and push it into the soil to see if the soil is moist. If it goes in easily then the moisture is adequate, if there is resistance then water the tree. Watering every day does not encourage the roots to go to the depth that is best for growth. You can overwater the tree which can cause issues as well.
4. Did you do any fall and winter watering? This is very important with newly planted trees. We have very dry winds all year round that affect the tree. Here is information on Fall and Winter Watering:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/fall-and-winter-watering-7-211/
5. The stakes can be removed from the tree after one year. It is actually good for the tree to experience some wind as this will help to strengthen the cell walls.
6. It is possible that a combination of all these environmental factors may be leading to the browning of the needles on some of the branches. Additional information
https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2114-winter-browning-evergreens/
https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2123-needle-browning-eergreens/
Please read through the information provided and if you have further questions please respond to this email.
Overall the tree looks like it is healthy with just a few branches that have browning needles on the end. A few observations:
1. The mulch looks like it is right up to the trunk and I can't tell how thick the mulch is surrounding the trunk. It should be no more that 2-3" deep and it should not be right up against the trunk. I cannot see the base of the trunk to look for the flare of the trunk which you should be able to see at ground level. This is an indication of whether or not the tree is planted too deeply. You could take the mulch away from the trunk and look for the flare yourself.
2.The tree is surrounded by rock. Is there landscape fabric under the rock and the area where the tree is planted? Over time landscape fabric will get clogged with debris and water will be unable to get through the fabric so this could eventually affect the health of the tree. Here is information on the care if new trees:
https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/635.pdf
3. Where is the drip line that is watering the tree? If it is right against the trunk you may want to move it out to the drip line of the tree. This is where the feeder roots will be. Also keep in mind the tree roots will extend out into the rock and you will need to move the drip line accordingly. The landscape fabric may become an issue as noted in #2. Do you check the ground moisture to see if the tree needs water? You can take a long screwdriver and push it into the soil to see if the soil is moist. If it goes in easily then the moisture is adequate, if there is resistance then water the tree. Watering every day does not encourage the roots to go to the depth that is best for growth. You can overwater the tree which can cause issues as well.
4. Did you do any fall and winter watering? This is very important with newly planted trees. We have very dry winds all year round that affect the tree. Here is information on Fall and Winter Watering:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/fall-and-winter-watering-7-211/
5. The stakes can be removed from the tree after one year. It is actually good for the tree to experience some wind as this will help to strengthen the cell walls.
6. It is possible that a combination of all these environmental factors may be leading to the browning of the needles on some of the branches. Additional information
https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2114-winter-browning-evergreens/
https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2123-needle-browning-eergreens/
Please read through the information provided and if you have further questions please respond to this email.
