Pine Blight or needle cast??

[bonsai barry]

I have a couple of pines that might have needle cast. At first I thought these were just the older needle, but I think they might be infected. Unfortuneately they are in different parts of the yard, so it seems to be around.

Any input or suggestions? How serious is this?

 

[Chris Johnston]

I think you may have some form of fungus, but a google search of "pine needle cast" brings up this site: http://www.forestryimages.org/browse/subimages.cfm?SUB=899 check the images that say "sign"

 

[Anonymous User]

If these are the prior years needles, it is could be hypoderma lethale or lophodermium pinastri causing the "needle cast" do you see any blackish areas on the needles? Are they growing in full sun or a partially shaded area?



Will

 

[Graydon]

I'm thinking the first photo is not needle cast - They look fine to me. Potential damage to the needle perhaps from rough handling. Once bent they tend to look like that after a while.

The second photo does concern me a bit.

Do you have an agriculture extension agent or office in your county? (the answer is yes - you just need to find it) Take the effected tree or a branch to them or see if they will come to you. The services they offer is free and top quality. Make use of the expert help they can offer. Chances are you will get much more help and information in person than any one of us can give on the forum.

Have you placed this tree in quarantine yet, somewhere away from other pines?

Best of luck.

 

[bonsai barry]

If these are the prior years needles, it is could be hypoderma lethale or lophodermium pinastri causing the "needle cast" do you see any blackish areas on the needles? Are they growing in full sun or a partially shaded area?



Will

Yes, these are last year's needles. Yes, both trees are in full sun. The tree in the first photo is in the ground. The second is in a shallow training pot.

 

[bonsai barry]

I'm thinking the first photo is not needle cast - They look fine to me. Potential damage to the needle perhaps from rough handling. Once bent they tend to look like that after a while.

The second photo does concern me a bit.

Do you have an agriculture extension agent or office in your county? (the answer is yes - you just need to find it) Take the effected tree or a branch to them or see if they will come to you. The services they offer is free and top quality. Make use of the expert help they can offer. Chances are you will get much more help and information in person than any one of us can give on the forum.

Have you placed this tree in quarantine yet, somewhere away from other pines?

Best of luck.

The first tree is in the ground, and possible has been run over by my dog. The second is on a shelf and hasn't been moved (except to turn it) for almost a year. god idea about ag extension. I think I'll take it to the bonsai nursery where I purchased it last June and see what they say.

 

[Graydon]

The first tree is in the ground, and possible has been run over by my dog. The second is on a shelf and hasn't been moved (except to turn it) for almost a year. good idea about ag extension. I think I'll take it to the bonsai nursery where I purchased it last June and see what they say.

I'd be more apt to go third party to identify an infected tree. Let the pro's who know take a look, that's why our taxes pay for their services. Has worked for me in the past. My issues were unrelated to bonsai but were thoroughly answered by helpful people.

I would also take back to where it was purchased. I would have a huge issue if a nursery professional sold me an infected plant. There's a certain amount of expectations we should all have about getting healthy, disease free material.

Side story - one of my fellow club members bought a cascade elm from an "unnamed here" bonsai seller. When he received it there was an issue with the health. He contacted customer service and was told "you sound smart enough to fix it". Not a cheap tree and he was afraid the sickness would spread to his other elms. He tried the seller one more time with no good result so he contacted the ag agent in the area and things escalated from there. The "unnamed seller" received a visit from some local and federal ag inspectors about his procedures etc. Long story short the tree's purchase price was refunded to the member and he kept the tree nursing it back to health.

 

[Anonymous User]

The first tree is in the ground, and possible has been run over by my dog. The second is on a shelf and hasn't been moved (except to turn it) for almost a year. god idea about ag extension. I think I'll take it to the bonsai nursery where I purchased it last June and see what they say.

You really shouldn't let your dog drive, especially around the trees.

So there are two that are infected, do you have other pines around, do the neighbors? If so, I take it they are all "uninfected?"


Will

 

[Jay Wilson]

I'm watching this thread with interest because some of my pines have what looks like the same thing.
It's only on the old needles and I have just been thinking it was the age as the needles soon go ahead and brown out and I pluck them off.
Jay

 

[Vance Wood]

If this is Mugo Pine, and it looks like it to me, it is probably needle cast. This will not kill the tree but it does reduce back bud options in that it takes out last years needles. This problem is very common in Mugo Pines. I find if I spray the tree in the fall and again in the spring with Captan this will eliminate the problem. It usually crops up about once every three years or so.