Pine Tree Questions

[Rob_H]

Hi TBN-ers.

With the 13" of rain and the resulting flooding in New England a couple weeks ago, I have a white pine that is somewhat the worse for wear. Attached is a pic of the water on this tree. It is about 7' tall, and had about 5' of water around it for several days.

The problem is the needles that were below the water line appear to be dead or very damaged. They are mostly brown, with a few green areas on some of them.

This is a pretty established tree, planted three years ago. Any thoughts on what I can do to help it out?

Thanks!

Rob H.

 

[Rob_H]

Hi TBN-ers.

With the 13" of rain and the resulting flooding in New England a couple weeks ago, I have a white pine that is somewhat the worse for wear. Attached is a pic of the water on this tree. It is about 7' tall, and had about 5' of water around it for several days.

The problem is the needles that were below the water line appear to be dead or very damaged. They are mostly brown, with a few green areas on some of them.

This is a pretty established tree, planted three years ago. Any thoughts on what I can do to help it out?

Thanks!

Rob H.

 

[gotrocks]

Rob, without seeing the tree I wonder if the limbs that were under water are just covered with a layer of mud. Have you tried hoseing it off?
Hope it is not dead. Give it some time to see what springtime brings.

 

[gotrocks]

Rob, without seeing the tree I wonder if the limbs that were under water are just covered with a layer of mud. Have you tried hoseing it off?
Hope it is not dead. Give it some time to see what springtime brings.

 

[ToadHill]

Trees need 3 things from the soil, nutrients, water and air. When the ground is floded the water forced the air out of the ground and the tree sufferred. It may recover but I'd suggerst that if the water is now down go out from the dripline with a pitchfork or garden fork and poke holes into the ground for about 2 feet around to let the water evaporate and air get back into the soil.

 

[ToadHill]

Trees need 3 things from the soil, nutrients, water and air. When the ground is floded the water forced the air out of the ground and the tree sufferred. It may recover but I'd suggerst that if the water is now down go out from the dripline with a pitchfork or garden fork and poke holes into the ground for about 2 feet around to let the water evaporate and air get back into the soil.

 

[Rob_H]

Thanks Toadhill - I'll do that tonight.

I took a good look at the suffering tree last night, and 60 to 90% of the needles that were under water are dead and falling off the branches - unfortunately not covered in mud.

Rob H.

 

[Rob_H]

Thanks Toadhill - I'll do that tonight.

I took a good look at the suffering tree last night, and 60 to 90% of the needles that were under water are dead and falling off the branches - unfortunately not covered in mud.

Rob H.

 

[Pilot]

Western white pines are very tolerant of high water, but of course eastern white pines may be different. We had one on our district that was flooded for weeks at a time every year and never had a problem. It was in a seasonal pond. Must have had a few dry years for it to become established as a seedling.

Anyway, I would just wait & see how it does.

 

[Pilot]

Western white pines are very tolerant of high water, but of course eastern white pines may be different. We had one on our district that was flooded for weeks at a time every year and never had a problem. It was in a seasonal pond. Must have had a few dry years for it to become established as a seedling.

Anyway, I would just wait & see how it does.