Young White Pine Issue - Ask Extension
Greetings. My young white pine was about 2.5 ft tall when this happened: I noticed a little browning of some needles and immediately looked for that ...
Knowledgebase
Young White Pine Issue #880105
Asked August 04, 2024, 9:55 AM EDT
Greetings. My young white pine was about 2.5 ft tall when this happened: I noticed a little browning of some needles and immediately looked for that insect that hides in white sticky stuff. Found it, cut it in half, and treated the tree with Neem oil a couple times that week. Then soon after noticed browning on the top branches. Sprayed with Neem oil, then left for a short vacation. Came home to find all those upper branches not just brown but completely wilted. I know it's bad to cut off top of tree but those branches were completely dead. Is this tree salvageable? Will it get its candles in the spring? Should I cut those needle-less branches a little further down? I want to replace it if it's unlikely to continue growing at the top. Thank you.
Clinton County Michigan
Expert Response
Good Morning,
When a tree’s leader is lost due to storm damage or disease, replace it by splinting an upper lateral on the highest scaffold to a vertical position. Prune all laterals immediately below the new leader. Use wood or flexible wire splints, removing them after one growing season. See attached for more information.
A Guide to Successful Pruning: Pruning Deciduous Trees | VCE Publications | Virginia Tech (vt.edu)
Leader damage from birds and weevils showing up on spruce and other conifers - MSU Extension
Pruning pines - MSU Extension
White pine planting and care - Tending white pine | Minnesota DNR (state.mn.us)
White pine blister rust | UMN Extension
I hope this helps. Thanks for using our service.
When a tree’s leader is lost due to storm damage or disease, replace it by splinting an upper lateral on the highest scaffold to a vertical position. Prune all laterals immediately below the new leader. Use wood or flexible wire splints, removing them after one growing season. See attached for more information.
A Guide to Successful Pruning: Pruning Deciduous Trees | VCE Publications | Virginia Tech (vt.edu)
Leader damage from birds and weevils showing up on spruce and other conifers - MSU Extension
Pruning pines - MSU Extension
White pine planting and care - Tending white pine | Minnesota DNR (state.mn.us)
White pine blister rust | UMN Extension
I hope this helps. Thanks for using our service.
