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| Readers pine tree |
Q. Attached are two photos of a pine tree in my front
yard. On closer examination you will see
two open wounds in the upper area of the pine tree. Unbeknownst to me, these wounds appear to
have been in existence for some time judging by the amount of pine sap around
them.
Staff at
a local nursery thought the wounds might be related to little insects called
borers. However, rather than slather the
wounds with tree dressing or tar, they suggested that I contact someone who was
more knowledgeable than they such as the County Extension Service. I saw your column in the paper and thought
perhaps you might be able to help me.
a local nursery thought the wounds might be related to little insects called
borers. However, rather than slather the
wounds with tree dressing or tar, they suggested that I contact someone who was
more knowledgeable than they such as the County Extension Service. I saw your column in the paper and thought
perhaps you might be able to help me.
I did
purchase Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed concentrate from the nursery as
they recommended sprinkling this powder on the ground extending out to the tree
line. Our pine tree is probably 20-25 feet tall and hope it isn’t too late to
apply some remedial/medical measures to help save it.
purchase Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed concentrate from the nursery as
they recommended sprinkling this powder on the ground extending out to the tree
line. Our pine tree is probably 20-25 feet tall and hope it isn’t too late to
apply some remedial/medical measures to help save it.
A. Borer damage to pines in the landscaped area of the
valley is rare but worth checking out. I would pull any loose bark away from
the damaged area first. If it is loose, I would want to see what is under it.
valley is rare but worth checking out. I would pull any loose bark away from
the damaged area first. If it is loose, I would want to see what is under it.
If you
the bark pulls away from the tree easily then the area under it is dead. Remove
all of the loose bark and see how extensive the dead area, if any, might be. If
it extends to a very large area around the circumference of the tree you would
most likely see dead branches in the tree which it sounds like you don’t have.
the bark pulls away from the tree easily then the area under it is dead. Remove
all of the loose bark and see how extensive the dead area, if any, might be. If
it extends to a very large area around the circumference of the tree you would
most likely see dead branches in the tree which it sounds like you don’t have.
If there
is just sap bubbling to the surface that usually indicates some damage to the
wood and it exudes sap as part of the healing process. Leave it alone and let
it heal just like we would any open wound we might get. Pines do appreciate an
occasional deep watering unless you are doing that now.
is just sap bubbling to the surface that usually indicates some damage to the
wood and it exudes sap as part of the healing process. Leave it alone and let
it heal just like we would any open wound we might get. Pines do appreciate an
occasional deep watering unless you are doing that now.
You can
tell by looking at the canopy and how dense the canopy is. If the canopy is
sparse and you can see through it easily then it is probably not getting enough
water to stimulate enough good growth to keep it dense. These large trees
require a lot of water, even pines. I hope this helps.
tell by looking at the canopy and how dense the canopy is. If the canopy is
sparse and you can see through it easily then it is probably not getting enough
water to stimulate enough good growth to keep it dense. These large trees
require a lot of water, even pines. I hope this helps.