Norfolk Island Pine brown needles, dropping

richie

Hi
Does anyone know what is wrong with this Norfolk Island pine? About a dozen pines in the same neighborhood all have the same symptoms.
Location Central Florida

I think it could be from the hard frosts we had early in the year. I'd be interested to hear if anyone thinks it could be pathogenic or nutrient deficiency.

Thanks!

Attached Thumbnails

     

Eric Frei

I think that is a Cook pine not Norfolk.

If it was nutrient the damage should be even not just the tips.

Check soil pH.

If it is frost then it might be more prevalent on one side of the tree etc, see if sheltered parts have same symptoms.

It could be bacterial or fungal, look very closely for any tiny holes the size of a pin weeping resin on the trunk. Look carefully on the foliage for any black spores or tiny mites, use a magnifying glass.

A good compost tea with mycorrhizal fungi will be the best line of defence. The tree needs good care, you know .... mulch out as far as you can but not up the trunk perhaps 2" deep, keep watered, moist but not wet etc.

Do not go fertilising, think more about soil conditioning using compost tea and beneficial microbes and fungi. The tree will make it's own medicine, you need to supply the buffet of ingredients.

__________________

comgreserv

I have had customers pine trees, radiata and pinasta, develop brown patches and then a few days perhaps a week later the whole tree has gone. Upon taking them down I have noticed small pin holes from some borers but have put the death down to long hot summer and lack of rain.
Sad to see these big old trees go.

richie

Thanks Eric
I was not aware of Cook Island pine. I think true Norfolk Island pines are rare in Florida...the somewhat twisted "bottlebrush" "Norfolk" pines are all probably Cook Island pines. I read that they hybridize also.

In one of my photos the needles are split or "devil-clawed" Is this "fasciation" ? Possibly caused by fungal/pathogen?

I like the idea of compost tea. Soils are essentailly sand here. Is there a risk it will just drain away?

richie

More pics.

Attached Thumbnails

           

           

 

Eric Frei

If soils are sandy and drain fast then use a soil wetting agent, and definitely mulch.

It is the beneficial soil fungi that matter the most. Treating pests with Merit will not affect fungi but using a fungicide will.

The 3 products for treating EAB are, Merit, Safari and Tree-age .... also that list is in order of potency. So by doing say a collar drench with Merit, or spray on smaller trees you'd nail any mites etc but not affect the soil fungi. So I'd go with that and the tea drench.

Here's two products I'd include in that compost tea, and this joint is in Florida. Aslo I know people have sprayed the foliage of trees with that tea water and it helped.

Custom GP Trichoderma & Custom B5 Bacillus

__________________

Mike T

We are having the same problem. At first I thought it was frost damage, as it seemed to be located to one side of our 50ft trees, but it seems to be spreading. Today we took samples and pictures today to the County Extension office and they looked at the samples under a microscope and could find no reason for the browning that is occurring from the tips. 2 months ago I treated it with a systemic insecticide, but there are no mites, fungus....I too have noticed this in Central Florida. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

Eric Frei

The answer is in post 6 above.

Also subtle changes in weather, mainly toward drier weather/drought seems to bring on Botryosphaeria ssp fungal infections which have same symptoms.

That too can be dealt with by doing what was provided as an answer in post 6.

__________________