Is this pine salvegable? Or cut it down?
- Thread starter Joekidd
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Joekidd
ArboristSite Lurker
When I say salvageable I guess I mean is it safe to leave it alone and let it do its thing?
Jason Douglas
ArboristSite Guru
Looks like a blue spruce that likely has valsa/cytospora canker and/or rhizosphaeria needle cast. You can get a few more miles out of the tree but I wouldnt put a dime into preservation.
Conquistador3
Le Comte de Frou Frou
Really hard to make a diagnosis based on those pictures, there are several fungal diseases that cause similar symptoms, but if you have other similar spruces nearby it would be good to remove it as soon as possible.
If your aunt wants to keep it until it's a complete eyesore (it's halfway there), it would be advisable to periodically remove all fallen needles from underneath and burn them to avoid spreading the contagion even further.
If your aunt wants to keep it until it's a complete eyesore (it's halfway there), it would be advisable to periodically remove all fallen needles from underneath and burn them to avoid spreading the contagion even further.
Joekidd
ArboristSite Lurker
O boy! I raked up all the cones and needles and tossed them in the woods amongst the other trees there. I'm in western Pa and its been in the lower 30s lately, can the disease spread this time of year at this temperature?
The tree will not get any better looking than it is. Might be able to slow the decline down with fertilization, but it will still be an eyesore. Don't worry about the contagion, there is plenty to go around even with cleaning up your needles. Would only spend money and effort on removing the tree and replacing it.
Gypo Logger
Timber Baron
You can always cut it down, but you can't stand it up again, but as others have said, it may be too far gone. I don't know much about tree diseases, however, as a last ditch effort hang a few bird feeders in the tree, as a symbiotic relationship may be developed.
Joekidd
ArboristSite Lurker
I talked to her. It's on the removal list. Thanks guys
Gypo Logger
Timber Baron
I know it looks ugly with all those dead branches, but generally if the crown is healthy the tree should still have some life left in it.
If it were my tree, I'd prune the trunk to just below the crown, thus getting rid of all those useless trunk limbs.
If it were my tree, I'd prune the trunk to just below the crown, thus getting rid of all those useless trunk limbs.
Conquistador3
Le Comte de Frou Frou
Relax, it's just part of being responsible: when you have a tree you suspect may harbor a fungine infection, it's always better to dispose of the fallen leaves/needles properly.
Jason Douglas
ArboristSite Guru
Removal of dead limbs and fallen debris will be largely cosmetic. There will be plenty of fruiting bodies/innoculum still on the tree and in the neighborhood.
It's an alpine species that generally fair quite poorly in my region due to incompatible site conditions. I always recommend that no more be planted here but Colorado spruces are deeply engrained in the minds of homeowners, landscapers, and growers/nurseries. Not going away anytime soon.
It's an alpine species that generally fair quite poorly in my region due to incompatible site conditions. I always recommend that no more be planted here but Colorado spruces are deeply engrained in the minds of homeowners, landscapers, and growers/nurseries. Not going away anytime soon.
I would be inclined to deadwood it and balance out the crown. I would put it as a mid term removal, 5-10 years, rather than a short term need.
