Rex In Illinois
ArboristSite Lurker
I had 3 beautiful pine trees and over 20 years lost 2 to whatever this is. What can I do to prevent it from happening to the last one? I'm 60 miles south of Chicago.
Please Help Me Save The Last One
- Thread starter Rex In Illinois
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Is that a pic of the last one?
Rex In Illinois
ArboristSite Lurker
No, that's the second one, the last one is perfectly intact. I understand the confusion, I didn't present that very well.
At first glance, looks like physical damage, which then allowed rot into the center of the tree. See how the Bark has encapsulated around the edges? That wound is pretty old. Is it still standing? Pics of the top of the wound would help.
Look like pitch canker or Fusiform Rust but if I had to guess I would say pitch canker or both. When we would do prescribe burns at night a forest infected with pitch canker would look like hundreds of candles burning after the fire went through. If pitch canker the tree sometimes will try to heal itself but will leave a scar which will rot out, as seen in your case.
Rex In Illinois
ArboristSite Lurker
Looks like either a spruce or fir, a close up of the needles would help. Also a wider angle shot of the entire tree, from a slightly different angle. From these pics, looks like an old lightning strike. Pic #5, although grainy, looks like the strike blew out the top and then a branch reestablished as the new leader. You say you've known these trees for 20 years though? Just looking at the encapsulation I wouldn't put the strike as that old, probably more like 7-8 years.
Now that we have a wider angle I agree that looks like a lightning strike.
Your Norway spruce needs to be removed, it's a hazard that cannot be mitigated. Good call on old lighting strike, I agree. Just a side note, see the callous tissue at the bottom of the wound. Unusual yes, most lighting hits run down into the roots not jump out at ground level.
Rex In Illinois
ArboristSite Lurker
I don't think it's been like that for 20 years, don't really know when it started, it's in a fence line with the damage facing away from my side so I didn't see for a long time. I've already scheduled removal before it falls on my house. Good call on the possible lightning strike.
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Rex In Illinois
ArboristSite Lurker
Unfortunately, not really. To be honest, might have them assess it while they are out for the other one. Only so much we can see from pics.
Rex In Illinois
ArboristSite Lurker
Had an arborist here a few years ago, said the same thing.
This is from the day of the strike on a different part of the tree.
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Honestly, if that was a few years ago, I would be cautiously optimistic on its overall chances. Fingers crossed.
Rex In Illinois
ArboristSite Lurker
Date on original image is 2012.
Thanks everyone for all the help with the original question, this is one of the best forums I've ever used.
I guess rhe good news is it looks like barring another lightning strike your remaining spruce should be fine, it's not a canker or something that might spread.
Rex In Illinois
ArboristSite Lurker
Yes that's the expert advice I've come to rely on here.
Moving forward, it looks like the best thing you could do for your trees is stand in the driveway holding a metal pole any time there is a thunderstorm...
You can paint the wound with tree paint on a fresh strike and it will retard rot and the chance of bug damage or disease infection.
