Pine tree/ losing bark

[catfarmman]

I have 4 pines on the property, 3 are doing okay, the 4th one is starting to lose large chunks of its bark and I am worried. these trees are over 75 years old and they are majestic. the previous owner of our home had once considered cutting them down. I have thought about wrapping them so the insects and woodpeckers dont have easy access to the bare wood. What can i do to protect these guys?

 

[S Mc]

Cat, welcome to the site.

It is impossible to offer advice in this instance without some photos so we know what is going on.

In order to upload photos, if you have not already reduced them, open them in Paint, select Image, then Stretch/Skew. Opt for 25% reduction in horizontal and vertical. This will reduce them to a size the website will accept and yet keep them big enough for us to see detail.

Be sure to include a photo of the entire tree, a close up of the trunk area losing bark and the basal flare. A photo of both the injured tree and the healthy ones would be good also.

Sylvia

 

[S Mc]

Thanks, TCo. It seems a lot of people have trouble posting the photos. Cat's came out a bit small. I don't mean to be leading people astray, but it really is mandatory for us to see photos before answering questions.

The 100 to 200 kB size is what I was aiming for.

Cat, can we get you to take another couple of photos of the injured tree? One showing the entire tree, as the canopy doesn't look too bad if it is the second one from the left in the group photo. But I would like to confirm that.

And another of the injured trunk. Maybe try TreeCos method for reducing pictures and let's see if the size comes out a bit better.

This looks to be an old injury. There really is nothing to do to effectively keep birds and insects from it. Birds will tend to drill into dead wood for either bugs or nesting holes. They can tap into live wood for bugs also. But that is another issue.

Although this might sound odd, you could tack a rubber snake onto the dead portion. Some people have had good success with detering birds using this method.

By the way, these sure look like spruces.

Sylvia

 

[M.D. Vaden]

Does the side of the trunk losing the bark face the sunset or the South or SW?

Any history about other trees being removed near that pine, or a a lot of branches being removed from it or other trees?

 

[treeseer]

...There really is nothing to do to effectively keep birds and insects from it. ...

??

Applying insecticides and repellents can be very effective.

Root invigoration can speed wound closure. Mulching and irrigation for starters.

 

[S Mc]

Yeah, I knew after I submitted that, someone who challenge that statement. Yes, you can apply insecticides to keep bugs away.

But what bugs are we talking about? Are we talking about decay pests that are going to harvest dead tissue? If that worth spraying or applying insecticides? The op is asking about the dead portion of this tree, not insects that might be attacking the live tissue. And in fact, is why I asked for another couple of photos.

Yes, we can go with the standard protocol for mulching, irrigation, root invigoration, etc., which is almost always good for overall tree health. How much is this protocol going to do for addressing the closure of this particular old wound?



Sylvia

 

[treeseer]

Are we talking about decay pests that are going to harvest dead tissue? If that worth spraying or applying insecticides? The op is asking about the dead portion of this tree, not insects that might be attacking the live tissue.

wHATEVER KIND OF WOOD THE INSECTS MAY ATTACK, dam capslock, It makes sense to keep them away. op clearly is open to help finding the righrt question to ask. If the arborist or client is not comfy with poison, try eucalyptus oil or some other botanical to repel.

Yes, we can go with the standard protocol for mulching, irrigation, root invigoration, etc., which is almost always good for overall tree health. How much is this protocol going to do for addressing the closure of this particular old wound?

bETTER THAN ANY OTHER i KNOW OF. got a better protocol?

yes the wound looks old. finding the margin and assessing tree response would seem to be Job #1. perhaps that glassy sealant that ed got would lessen cracking and heartrot.

 

[S Mc]

finding the margin and assessing tree response would seem to be Job #1.

That's why I asked for more photos.

Sylvia

 

[treeseer]

i dunno syl the one pic showed the scar as well as it could without removing more dead bark to see the extent of the damage.

the bark that has been shedding has been dead a while. go ahead and gently with a screwdriver pull off the rest of the dead bark and then send a pic showing the wound at it widest point.

there, we're both right! :angel:

 

[M.D. Vaden]

Catfarmman ...

You still out there? Going to need more feedback to help you out. Lots of answers available here.

You the Catfarmman from Genesee County who was on an extensive job hunt?

 

[Ed Roland]

perhaps that glassy sealant that ed got would lessen cracking and heartrot.

huh? wha... somebody say my name? oh, yeah that Tree Bandage stuff. Miracle salve for rapid wound response and vector control! No, i made that up but on the container it does say "It's like having a window over the wound".

See for yourself @
http://www.treebandage.com/

Some very lofty claims and exaggerations. :dunno: Trials are said to be happening @ Davy and BTRL.

 

[treeseer]

Trials are said to be happening @ Davy and BTRL.

And how are the new hanover results looking so far?

 

[brnchbrkr]

I have 4 pines on the property, 3 are doing okay, the 4th one is starting to lose large chunks of its bark and I am worried. these trees are over 75 years old and they are majestic. the previous owner of our home had once considered cutting them down. I have thought about wrapping them so the insects and woodpeckers dont have easy access to the bare wood. What can i do to protect these guys?

Here is a link to what a majestic pine could look like before lower limbs are raised...

http://arboristsite.com/showthread.php?p=2301624#post2301624