Scots pine disease?

phelim_d · Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 11:14 pm Post subject: Scots pine disease?

Hi there,

my scots pine trees ( 3 years old) have started loosing their needles and are turning brown. 10 days ago I threw a handful of 18-6-12 at their base.

Not sure if they are shedding cause the fertiliser was too strong ( I doubt this as they seem to have tis more or lessaffected) or they have some other problem or it's a natural seasonal thing...

any quick opinions?

easyram · Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 9:30 pm Post subject:

Hi phelim_d,

Scots pines don't like salty winds, so if you're in a coastal area that also could be a problem. I know P. sylvestris used to be native to Ireland and did not have any problems with seaside exposure but apparently it's not so anymore and usually they don't survive at the sea (I've seen few examples in Co. Clare).
Are they still like that?
They might need more water though it sounds unlikely in Ireland... Or it's too wet for them indeed as scots pine doesn't like very wet soil.
It's better if the soil is more acidic but I'm not sure if that problem would appear so soon.
It's definitely not a natural seasonal thing.
Here's something about scots' pine diseases but I think that's not the problem:
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/forestry/publications/ScotsPine_low.pdf

Hope it's not too late for them...

phelim_d · Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 10:55 pm Post subject:

Thanks Easyram,
I've since learned that they are lodgepole pines and not scots pines... I set some Scots Pines to see what they will turn out like...

The lodge pole ones I have seem to be getting a bit better... they are still alive anyhow!

Happy gardening!
P

easyram · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 9:05 am Post subject:

Ah these are very nice too.
Good luck!
e