Sick Ponderosa ?

[mrchips1952]

I have a rather old collected Ponderosa Pine that seemed to get through the winter at 6000 feet here in Colorado Springs fine but now some of the needles are becoming discolored. They have turned from a dark green to a lighter shade, with the tips almost white. The tree gets good sunlight throughout the day. I am sorry I cannot post a photo at this time. Any ideas? Dave

 

[jk_lewis]

Are they interior needles or exterior needles?

 

[mrchips1952]

Exterior needles

 

[treebeard55]

By "exterior," I take it you mean near the tips of the branches, rather than closer in toward the trunk.

It's really hard to say without a picture. Is there someone near you -- I mean within an hour's drive -- who's knowledgeable about ponderosas and could give you some insight?

 

[Greg Brenden]

What do the buds look like? Are they swelling at all? I've got one here in Portland with new needles extending from the buds. I'm sure we're a lot further along than you are but you must have been getting some warmer temps that would stimulate new growth if the tree is healthy.