Ponderosa Pine disease/pest/treatment - Ask Extension
I've asked this question before, but unfortunately mislaid the answer. Our Pondarosas at about 8,000 feet are being killed by a grub or insect that c...
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Ponderosa Pine disease/pest/treatment #875820
Asked July 03, 2024, 1:57 PM EDT
I've asked this question before, but unfortunately mislaid the answer. Our Pondarosas at about 8,000 feet are being killed by a grub or insect that chews vertical channels in the trunk wood at about two feet from the ground. The tree eventually dies and falls over at the weakened point. The channels are visible in the break. We've now lost 7 trees to this little devil. One of your experts gave me the name of the bug and recommended a treatment liquid to use. If you can give me the name of the bug again, I can get more of the liquid by checking the label. I believe it's made by Bayer.
My second question is about when to treat the healthy trees. I know that early spring is best, but because water is unavailable on the property between late May and mid September, I would like to know if there is an alternative time when we have water but won't endanger birds or squirrels.
Many many thanks,
Lucy Graca (<personal data hidden>)
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Lucy,
I found your question and the publication that was referenced: https://csfs.colostate.edu/franktown/fr-insects-diseases/
But the answer didn't identify the actual insect - it's likely a type of wood borer. Without more information or photos, I don't feel comfortable offering recommendations.
What city are you located? If you're in Estes Park, you can contact Brian Berg: <personal data hidden>
If you're elsewhere (i.e. Red Feather Lakes), you can contact the Colorado Forest Service: https://csfs.colostate.edu/fort-collins/
I found your question and the publication that was referenced: https://csfs.colostate.edu/franktown/fr-insects-diseases/
But the answer didn't identify the actual insect - it's likely a type of wood borer. Without more information or photos, I don't feel comfortable offering recommendations.
What city are you located? If you're in Estes Park, you can contact Brian Berg: <personal data hidden>
If you're elsewhere (i.e. Red Feather Lakes), you can contact the Colorado Forest Service: https://csfs.colostate.edu/fort-collins/
Thank you so much for your swift reply, Dr. O’Connor. I’ve copied Brian Berg because the trees are at our cabin in Estes Park. We have now lost at least 7 very large trees to this disease or pest over the last two or three years.
I’ve not only lost the answer to my question, but also all the photos I took. But maybe I can describe the infestation. The tree falls over, usually in a high wind, with the trunk broken about two to three feet from the ground. The exposed trunk wood is broken in spikes, spongy and riddled with holes (or maybe “galleries”?). The tree dies from the top down over two or three years. We are very familiar with pine beetles — this isn’t them — no blue staining.
I’m desperately trying to save our remaining trees. I believe I was told to apply Bayer Tree and Shrub protect and feed, but I was also told to read the label and check that the responsible insect was listed — but now of course I can’t remember that insect’s name. The Web isn’t being any help.
If that is still not enough info, I will take new photos next time I’m at the cabin and send them along. But my other question, about applying the Bayer stuff between the end of May and middle of September is my main concern. That is the only time that we have enough water to apply it correctly.
Many thanks for your patience,
Lucy Graca
On Jul 3, 2024, at 3:18 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Hi Lucy,
Are the trees dead before they break? If so, something is causing them to die - but it may not be the borer. There are a lot of secondary pests that go into dead or dying trees. Many longhorn beetles do this, as well as other bark beetles/borers.
If these trees aren't regularly maintained - they could be experiencing drought or other environmental stressors. We have seen many trees that are lost because of weather, temperature swings, lack of water, etc.
The product you're thinking of would have imidacloprid, but these products were pulled from shelves due to a change in legislature. They are no longer available to homeowners - or won't be in the future. As for timing, it would depend on WHAT insect (if any) you're trying to treat. I couldn't offer recommendations without knowing exactly what's caused the trees to die and if it is insects or something else.
Perhaps Brian can offer more guidance to you - since he works in Estes, this may be a more familiar problem to him.
Are the trees dead before they break? If so, something is causing them to die - but it may not be the borer. There are a lot of secondary pests that go into dead or dying trees. Many longhorn beetles do this, as well as other bark beetles/borers.
If these trees aren't regularly maintained - they could be experiencing drought or other environmental stressors. We have seen many trees that are lost because of weather, temperature swings, lack of water, etc.
The product you're thinking of would have imidacloprid, but these products were pulled from shelves due to a change in legislature. They are no longer available to homeowners - or won't be in the future. As for timing, it would depend on WHAT insect (if any) you're trying to treat. I couldn't offer recommendations without knowing exactly what's caused the trees to die and if it is insects or something else.
Perhaps Brian can offer more guidance to you - since he works in Estes, this may be a more familiar problem to him.
Thanks for your help. I’ll keep working on the problem.
Lucy Graca
On Jul 4, 2024, at 9:08 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Thank you so much for identifying the imidacloprid. I spoke at length with one of your experts last year, and based on my photos, she diagnosed the pest (whose name I also couldn’t remember) and recommended Bayer (now Bioadvanced) Tree and Shrub Protect and Feed, which does have imidacloprid at 1.4 or 1.1% concentration. The Act that was passed in Colorado was responding to a directive from EPA restricting the use of imicacloprid at a 7% concentration. You are correct that Home Depot no longer carries the Bioadvanced product on its shelves, but they will deliver it. It can also be ordered from Amazon, which I have done.
But I’m still trying to consider the birds and squirrels who will be eating the pine nuts, which is why I’m asking about the application window. The product requires dilution in many gallons of water, given the size of the trees, and our cabin only has water from the end of May to about September 20. I’m just wondering when within that window is the safest time to apply the product without hurting the squirrels and birds.
Thanks again for your time and attention,
Lucy Graca
On Jul 4, 2024, at 9:08 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Hi again,
It's best for you to read the label and contact the company with these specific questions. The label should contain the information you need and if it doesn't, then call the 1-800 number.
It's best for you to read the label and contact the company with these specific questions. The label should contain the information you need and if it doesn't, then call the 1-800 number.
Thanks. Will call since that info isn’t on the label.
Lucy Graca
Sent from my iPad
Sent from my iPad
On Jul 4, 2024, at 5:21 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
