Why is my tree doing this?

[Joey]

My pine tree seems to be dying from the top down. I've googled it with not much success as there could be many reasons, but not really the answer I'm looking for since the bottom seems so healthy and I don't see any beetles or bugs on it. I don't use pesticides in the yard either. Any arbourists or anyone have any ideas? I've taken a pic of the top, which this year started with only about 1 foot of dead parts, which has now ended up at about 5 or 6 feet of dead. Bottom and middle are fine and looking healthy, but at this rate, it's not looking good that it will make it much longer. I took a long shot too so you can see how tall the tree actually is, so it must be pretty old and secure in the ground by now. Any ideas?

 

lightening maybe?

 

Thanks for your help anyone.

 

 

 

 

 

[kickingfrog]

That's a spruce tree unfortunately. Look up spruce budworm.

[HTHM]

Joey,

Hate to say it, but it is gone. Cut it down sooner than later to mitigate possible spread of the problem.

[Joey]

Crap, that's what I was worried would have to happen, okay, thanks guys. Wonder if I need a permit for that???

[Old Man]

Here's some detailed info as to what's happening to your Colorado Blue Spruce.

 

Spruce Budworm

(Choristoneura fumiferana)

The spruce budworm is a destructive forest pest which sometimes attacks shade trees. It prefers balsam fir and white spruce, but also injures red, black, Norway, Engelmann, and blue spruces, hemlock, and larch. The adults are dull-grey moths with the forewings overlaid with spots of brown. They are in flight in July or early August and deposit masses of overlapping eggs on the underside of needles near the periphery of the crown. The larvae hibernate without feeding in the autumn. They become active in the spring, generally two weeks before the bursting of the buds of balsam fir. The new buds of staminate flowers are attacked first, if present, otherwise the larvae mine into the old needles before moving to the ends of the branches and boring into the expanding vegetative buds. When half-grown, the larvae tie the tips of two or more twigs together with silk, forming a small nest. The larvae are brown with a yellowish stripe laterally, and light spots on the back. Feeding is completed by the end of June and pupation takes place among the loose webs on the twigs. There is only one generation per year. The beauty of infested trees is temporarily spoiled because as the needles dry they turn brownish. Heavy feeding results in stunted growth, especially in the tops, and tree death.

 

 

CONTROL

• Spray the foliage when the caterpillars are actively

feeding from mid-May to mid-June. Use dimethoate,

malathion, carbaryl, B.t., or acephate.

• Do not use Malathion on blue spruce.

[Sinker]

Yep, I'd say that one has gone too far to help it. Budworm for sure.

 

It will make OK campfire wood!

 

S.

[Toad Hunter]

not sure of where you're at but around here anything 15' or taller requires a permit

[davey buoy]

Make sure you hire a insured contractor. The houses are a little close for error.

[Twocoda]

That's a spruce tree unfortunately. Look up spruce budworm.

bud worm is probably the right answer ..phinitrathion or malathion are two chemicals to kill them i used to work forest protection in the late 80s in New Brunswick.. unfortunately for the tree..it needs to be removed though its going to be a fire hazzard soon

[Sinker]

Anyone else notice the raccoon?

 

S.

[misfish]

Anyone else notice the raccoon?

 

S.

 

 

LOL I can believe J didnt see that.

 

Tie up to the Chevy,pull in the direction of the road,and cut it down. Need some help

[Sinker]

LOL I can believe J didnt see that.

 

Tie up to the Chevy,pull in the direction of the road,and cut it down. Need some help

 

 

No need to even tie that one to anything, B. That tree is a piece of cake. You might lose a limb off the birch, but should be able to clear it The biggest problem with that one is the mess its going to make!

 

 

S.

[kickingfrog]

Anyone else notice the raccoon?

 

S.

 

No, and the reason is…..

[misfish]

I would think, a few members from the board could get r done for ya. Im sure it would,nt cost more then say,4-5 boxes of brew. Before we start of course.LOL

Edited August 19, 2012 by Misfish

[kickingfrog]

Nothin good happens after the sentence "Here, hold my beer."

[misfish]

Nothin good happens after the sentence "Here, hold my beer."

 

 

Ya,I hate it when it,s a full one,and get it back empty.

[davey buoy]

I would think, a few members from the board could get r done for ya. Im sure it would,nt cost more then say,4-5 boxes of brew. Before we start of course.LOL

 

Joey,once you get a quote on the tree,the 4-5 boxes of brew will be a steal!!.

[Joey]

You guys are killing me here. Well first I need to find out if I can take it down (permits etc.) Then we'll talk beer and a tree taking down G2G

[dave524]

Joey,once you get a quote on the tree,the 4-5 boxes of brew will be a steal!!.

 

For sure, I had a couple of broken limbs and the dead wood removed from my big old willow, $800 plus tax later this spring

[misfish]

You guys are killing me here. Well first I need to find out if I can take it down (permits etc.) Then we'll talk beer and a tree taking down G2G

 

 

Crap,to late to add steaks and taters?

[davey buoy]

For sure, I had a couple of broken limbs and the dead wood removed from my big old willow, $800 plus tax later this spring

 

I also have quotes on two huge trees down,and two massive trees trimmed. Thousands of dollars. Small steps at a time is what I'm doing.

[Billy Bob]

Anyone else notice the raccoon?

 

S.

 

Yep.......picture #2 in the upper left part of the tree.

[solopaddler]

The coon did it.

[Burtess]

No, and the reason is…..

 

Looks like a cat to me

 

Burt

[solopaddler]

The cat did it then.