Knowledgebase
Concern re base of pines #879018
Asked July 27, 2024, 2:51 PM EDT
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Good Morning Kathleen,
Thank you for contacting the U of M Extension Service.
From viewing your photo, I'm not sure what your question is? The trunk of the tree does not appear to be diseased that I can tell.
What is your question?
The "caterpiller" we believe is a moth crawling around stone fireplace. My gardener thought it was causing the reddish debris around my pines.
Another opinion has been this debris is the work of red squirrels since the bark is intact.
The "caterpiller" we believe is a moth crawling around stone fireplace. My gardener thought it was causing the reddish debris around my pines.
Another opinion has been this debris is the work of red squirrels since the bark is intact.
Dear Kathleen,
Thank you for using Ask Extension. A request for support has been created and a representative will follow-up with you as soon as possible. Questions are usually answered within two business days. You can view this question's progress online.
YOUR QUESTION #0148936:
Concern re base of pines
Could this indicate disease?ifAsk Extension offers one-to-one expert answers from Cooperative Extension/University staff and volunteers within participating Land-Grant institutions across the United States.
If you wish to provide additional comments or information regarding the issue, please login to your account for a complete archive of your prior questions and answers.
This message for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for personalized professional advice. For specific local information, contact your local county Cooperative Extension office or other qualified professionals. eXtension Foundation does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, professional services, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned. Reliance on any information provided by eXtension Foundation, employees, suppliers, member universities, or other third parties through eXtension is solely at the user's own risk. All eXtension content and communication is subject to the Terms of Use which may be revised at any time.
Good Morning Kathleen,
You have submitted several inquiries with incomplete questions.
Your tree appears to be a red pine. Here is a link about the seasonal changes in the pine during the year: https://seasonwatch.umn.edu/red-pine
If you scroll sideways through the photos, it shows the pollen cones. The reddish/brown debris around the base of your tree is the pollen cones that dried up and fell off the tree. It is not result of a caterpillar. This is a natural occurrence of the tree.
Is your tree healthy and growing? Are there signs of disease or pests on the tree?
