Joey Posted August 18, 2012 Report Share Posted August 18, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted August 18, 2012 Report Share Posted August 18, 2012 That's a spruce tree unfortunately. Look up spruce budworm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HTHM Posted August 18, 2012 Report Share Posted August 18, 2012 Joey, Hate to say it, but it is gone. Cut it down sooner than later to mitigate possible spread of the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Posted August 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2012 Crap, that's what I was worried would have to happen, okay, thanks guys. Wonder if I need a permit for that??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted August 18, 2012 Report Share Posted August 18, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted August 18, 2012 Report Share Posted August 18, 2012 Yep, I'd say that one has gone too far to help it. Budworm for sure. It will make OK campfire wood! S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toad Hunter Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 not sure of where you're at but around here anything 15' or taller requires a permit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davey buoy Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 Make sure you hire a insured contractor. The houses are a little close for error. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twocoda Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 Anyone else notice the raccoon? S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 Anyone else notice the raccoon? S. No, and the reason is….. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 (edited) 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 Nothin good happens after the sentence "Here, hold my beer." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davey buoy Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 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!!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Posted August 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave524 Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davey buoy Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Bob Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 Anyone else notice the raccoon? S. Yep.......picture #2 in the upper left part of the tree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 The coon did it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burtess Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 No, and the reason is….. Looks like a cat to me Burt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 The cat did it then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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