Lighter spots on needles?

[ibnozn]

Not sure what this is. There are lighter spots along the length of the needles. It's on both an Austrian and Japanese Black Pine. Is it the beginnings of Brown Spot? What can I do? Daconil?

 

[pwk5017]

Funny you should post this, as I have noticed similar spots on a few of my developing pines. I didnt worry too much when I saw the spots, because these trees are very vigorous and healthy. I doubt it is brown spot. I would probably treat with a copper-based fungicide--thats what I planned on doing anyways. Interested to see if someone has a proper identification of this issue.

 

[fourteener]

It's Pine Needle Scale. An insect bores into your needle and sucks the juices and leave the protective scale behind. It is not a big deal, but needs to be dealt with. I use Bayer products through a tank sprayer. If it's just one tree you might be able to find just a bottle of it at Home Depot or a nursery.

Again, not a big worry(nothing is going to die quickly), but it does need some treatment.

If it's a Bristlecone pine, then it is just sap. A fun part of the plant.

If it's a lot of yellowing spots without the crusty white spot, it can be a needle caste fungus. Then you need a fungicide and a little good fortune.

 

[ibnozn]

Yikes, there are no crusty white spots. I don't think it's scale. No tiny bugs either and the discoloration is within the needles. Any particular fungicide?

 

[fourteener]

Yikes, there are no crusty white spots. I don't think it's scale. No tiny bugs either and the discoloration is within the needles. Any particular fungicide?

Are green needles falling off of the tree? Can you post a bigger view of your tree?

When I had a needle cast fungus on one of my pines. The needles looked pretty bad. Yellow spots turning to mostly yellow needles that fell off part green part yellow. I could tell it was a sick tree. I remember spraying it with a fungicide every 10-14 days for probably 3-4 applications. The old needles stayed alive long enough for new healthy needles to come out and it's been fine ever since.

Do you have a good nursery with a horticulturalist you trust? Second best thing is the local extension agent. They are good at identifying issues.

Do the needles seem worse than usual, look worse than usual? All pines have a certain level of damaged needles for one reason or another.

When in doubt, Bayer makes a insecticide, fungicide, miticide product. That's what I use. It seems to take care of my issues. Some people cover the soil when using a fungicide.

 

[october]

It looks like needle cast. However, needle cast forms bands around the needles. This could be the start of it though. If they are not insects that you can rub off, it is probably needle cast. This must be delt with by spraying a fungicide. Preferably a copper based one. You can also use daconil. However, most use the copper based for pines. Protect the soil when you spray. If not delt with, this will kill the needles and pines need their foliage to live.

Rob

 

[ibnozn]

Thanks for the replies.
This looks like it in the 2nd and 3rd pics: http://www.bonsaibasho.com/micromarket/#/library/library/a133
I think it is a needle cast. I had black bands on the needles of a JBP last year which I sprayed with Daconil that seemed to halt it then. Maybe it spread and these spots are the start of it on these trees. Guess I better get after it harder. I'm not crazy about using Daconil due to the toxicity. Is copper based fungicide as effective? Something called Bordeaux mixture?

 

[october]

I used daconil in the already made spray bottle last year. I did not like the residue it left on the trees, especially junipers, for months after. I don't think the trees liked it either. I switcherd to the Bonide copper fungicide that you mix up your self with water. Copper based fungicides are highly recommened for pine fungus issues. Just put a bag or something over the soil to prevent the stuff from going into it. Also, fungus can move very fast. This need to be handled immediately. Like the owner of the bonsai nursery I go to says.. Not later, not tomorrow, spray now.

Rob

 

[ibnozn]

Thanks again. Hitting everything with the copper stuff today.

 

[evmibo]

ibnozn,

I'd like to share a picture I took of one of my JBP today if you don't mind. I believe I may have a similar problem arising but would like to see what others may think before I take action.



For what it's worth, about a month ago I noticed some spider mites on one of my American elms. I've had somewhat disappointing results with soap spray in the past so I sprayed with pyrethrin this time and it seemed to work well. I got them early this time too so I'm sure that was helpful. I sprayed everything I had... So, these marks (on the needles to the right) may have been there before - I'm not sure if pyrethrin will rid of needle cast. There are only a small amount of these potential needle cast markings too, but nonetheless they're there. What do you all think?

 

[fourteener]

ibnozn,

I'd like to share a picture I took of one of my JBP today if you don't mind. I believe I may have a similar problem arising but would like to see what others may think before I take action.

View attachment 35136

For what it's worth, about a month ago I noticed some spider mites on one of my American elms. I've had somewhat disappointing results with soap spray in the past so I sprayed with pyrethrin this time and it seemed to work well. I got them early this time too so I'm sure that was helpful. I sprayed everything I had... So, these marks (on the needles to the right) may have been there before - I'm not sure if pyrethrin will rid of needle cast. There are only a small amount of these potential needle cast markings too, but nonetheless they're there. What do you all think?

I would keep an eye on it. Pine needles can look bad for a lot of reasons. When spots turn into bands of yellow and needles look like they are drying up, then you know. When my tree had it bad, I would grab a batch of needles and some would fall into my hand.

I never want to over treat my trees. But I don't want them dead either. I think in your case I would wait and see if it seems to get worse.

You might also consider your soil and how you water. Pines like it on the dry side. Fungal problems likely stem from water issues. The deciduous tree next to the pine tree don't need equal amounts of water. I don't mean to tell you things you might already know. For me the problem comes when I buy a tree at an auction and don't know the soil or watering habits of the previous owner.

 

[ibnozn]

evmibo, that looks exactly like what I have. I think it's the start of a fungus in my trees. I'm doing three treatments of the copper fungicide, two weeks apart to try and halt its spread, like october said covering the soil with plastic first. You may want to do the same as a preventative. I also talked to a bonsai nursery owner who does it as a standard treatment.

 

[HumbleTrees]

One of my JBP has it too.
Would doing a copper spary and the bayer tree and shrub treatment be too much for young trees to take in the same month?

 

[october]

evmibo, that looks exactly like what I have. I think it's the start of a fungus in my trees. I'm doing three treatments of the copper fungicide, two weeks apart to try and halt its spread, like october said covering the soil with plastic first. You may want to do the same as a preventative. I also talked to a bonsai nursery owner who does it as a standard treatment.

Yes, many bonsai professional white pine growers do regular spraying. Vance Wood would know much more about spraying regimens.

 

[october]

One of my JBP has it too.
Would doing a copper spary and the bayer tree and shrub treatment be too much for young trees to take in the same month?

I don't think there is any real way to say for sure unless you do it. However, if both problems are not threatening the life of the tree. Deal with the main one first. Just my opinion.

Rob

 

[evmibo]

evmibo, that looks exactly like what I have. I think it's the start of a fungus in my trees. I'm doing three treatments of the copper fungicide, two weeks apart to try and halt its spread, like october said covering the soil with plastic first. You may want to do the same as a preventative. I also talked to a bonsai nursery owner who does it as a standard treatment.

I will be picking up some copper based fungicide tomorrow. Thanks for bringing this subject up, glad to get this taken care of earlier than later! Thank you too october!

 

[Jason_mazzy]

Any reccomendations on a copper fungicide for a pine that you canpick up bigbox/Walmart?

 

[Dav4]

Any reccomendations on a copper fungicide for a pine that you canpick up bigbox/Walmart?

I'm pretty sure Bonide makes a copper fungicide that should be easy to find. Either way, the big box stores should have some kind of copper fungicide for sale in the pesticide aisle...just make sure it's safe for ornamentals and follow the directions.