Himalayan pine

Discussion in 'Gymnosperms (incl. Conifers)' started by Snowflake, May 19, 2005.

  1. Snowflake

    Snowflake Member

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    Location:
    Grenoble (France)
    I have a Himalayan pine, the needles of which continuously start to brown at the tip and eventually fall off. We have had here in the French alps (close to Grenoble, at 900 m altitude) two summers with very little rain, followed by winters with just as little snow fall (but with low temperatures). Otherwise, bark and needles do not show any obvious signs of illness. The tree is about 30 years old.
    Any suggestions what I might try to to heal the tree? It used to be a rather spectacular specimen.
    Hans-Peter

    http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/hpw_snowflake/detail?.dir=/bf03&.dnm=d792.jpg&.src=ph
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  2. mr.shep

    mr.shep Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Location:
    San Joaquin Valley, California
    I think you may want to show us some photos of the
    needles and the trunk of your Pine. Are the young
    needles turning brown on the tips and then falling
    off or is this happening to the older needles as
    well or both? Do you see any sap deposits on this
    tree or any splits, unusual fissures in the trunk or
    the branches with areas that appear to be discolored?
    Look at the bark of this tree closely and tell me if
    you see any frass, almost a fine sawdust looking
    ground up wood material emanating anywhere on
    the tree.

    Jim
     
  3. Snowflake

    Snowflake Member

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    Location:
    Grenoble (France)
    Dear Jim,
    Looked at the trunk. No sap, no wound, or saw dust. Only the needles'tips are brown, and the needles do not fall off right away. Could a hard winter, with wind, have hurt them? A Himalayan pine should take a bit of frost.
    Hope the pictures I added to the original posting help.
    Hans-Peter
     
  4. mr.shep

    mr.shep Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Location:
    San Joaquin Valley, California
    Hi Hans-Peter:

    I am not sure what is going on with your Pine.
    Yes, the browning of the needles could be due
    to lack of water and wind damage or both factors
    can be working against you. I am familiar with
    both Griffithii and Wallichiana. Both Pines here
    during the Winter will show some browning of
    the tips but generally only on the older needles.
    I would be more concerned if your needles
    started to turn a brown color and drop off
    relatively soon afterwards. I did not see any
    bark beetle damage to the trunk of this tree.
    Do you see any white colored scale insects
    on the needles or near where the needle
    bundles attach to the branches?

    Do you apply water to this Pine or do you let
    natural rainfall be your source for water? If
    you do water this tree do you ever deep water
    it? Just as a curious question, how far away
    from your pool is this Pine and can any
    water splashes or other water in the pool
    get near this Pine? I've seen chlorine damage
    make needles on Pines and other Conifers
    turn brown similar to this on both young and
    old needles is why I asked. Himalayan Pines
    can indeed take some cold but if there is not
    enough moisture in the ground they can still
    show signs of cold damage. Have you ever
    given this tree some fertilizer of any kind?
    Can any of the roots of this tree be seen at
    ground level or seen above ground?

    Work with me and we may come up with
    something but my worst fear was the bark
    beetles that have been hitting some forests
    in Europe the last few years. What are your
    native Pines for that area?

    Best regards,

    Jim
     

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