Strange behaviour on my pine needles

[xtolord]

Hi all,
I've been checking my pine [ pinus elliottii ] this morning, and decided to turn it around to have a check on the growth all around the tree.
The front side it ok, but I've found several strange behaviours on the needles at the back.
The needles are dying out at the middle.

I've added some shots below:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/xtolord/6331073706/in/set-72157624544012446/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/xtolord/6331066766/in/set-72157624544012446/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/xtolord/6330307573/in/set-72157624544012446/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/xtolord/6331056518/in/set-72157624544012446/

Any one ever got this before?
Or heard about it?

Thanks in adv.
Xavier

 

[0soyoung]

Fungi can cause browning in the mid-length of needles like I see in your photos. Were it my tree, I would treat it with a fungicide and carefully remove the affected needles to a plastic bag that is sealed before it goes to the dump. Repeat until it does not reappear (refer to the fungicide instructions or give your county extension agent a call).

 

[xtolord]

Ok thanks for the reply.
Those are new growth, wont it affect the growth of the tree if I cut it?

 

[Ang3lfir3]

its most likely needle cast.... just a quick guess.... treat with a fungicide as already stated

this should help... http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?2294-fungicides-for-Needle-Cast

 

[Bob O]

Looks like needle cast to me too. As already stated its best to remove the affected needles & trash them. I use Ortho Rose Pride spray about every other week during wet weather to prevent or stop the needle cast.

Hope this helps,

Bob O

 

[xtolord]

Hi all,
Thanks for the input!
I've cut off the leaves so far.
I'm still looking for a place where I could get the antifungus/spray.

Cheers
Xavier

 

[0soyoung]

I'm still looking for a place where I could get the antifungus/spray.

I have had good results with Ortho 'Garden Disease Control' that I got at a local nursery. I bet you can even get it at a local hardware store - Home Depot and Lowes both carry it - about $15 a bottle, IIRC.

 

[xtolord]

I have had good results with Ortho 'Garden Disease Control' that I got at a local nursery. I bet you can even get it at a local hardware store - Home Depot and Lowes both carry it - about $15 a bottle, IIRC.

Hi,
Thanks for the info.
I dont reside in USA, I'm in tropical island Mauritius.
We do have nurseries and hardware stores, but its tough to get any useful info out of those guys if you dont know what to look for.
Sometimes they even sell things they dont even know what its used for...
There are some specialized nurseries that I know I'll get the quality and the service, but I'll have to wait for the weekend to be able to make them all.
Those I tried so far only had fertilizers and growth hormones for different growth states.

If I really dont get any luck, I'll try to get on via net.


Thanks again!

 

[xtolord]

I have had good results with Ortho 'Garden Disease Control' that I got at a local nursery. I bet you can even get it at a local hardware store - Home Depot and Lowes both carry it - about $15 a bottle, IIRC.

Hi,
Thanks for the info.
I dont reside in USA, I'm in tropical island Mauritius.
We do have nurseries and hardware stores, but its tough to get any useful info out of those guys if you dont know what to look for.
Sometimes they even sell things they dont even know what its used for...
There are some specialized nurseries that I know I'll get the quality and the service, but I'll have to wait for the weekend to be able to make them all.
Those I tried so far only had fertilizers and growth hormones for different growth states.

If I really dont get any luck, I'll try to get on via net.


Thanks again!

 

[treebeard55]

Xto, I suggest you do a Google search on those brand names that were mentioned, and find out what the active ingredient is in each one. Then look for locally-available fungicides with the same active ingredient(s).