Ponderosa Pine Problem?

[Black Hills Gardener]

I asked about this at the nursery I bought these from. Gal said there isn't any problem? I'm doubting that.
I've got 7 of these. Planted them over a month ago. Every one of them are developing this white. Some at the base of all the needles. Some have that dead brown needles near the base. Must be something wrong.
I water everyday with a bucket.
Two weeks ago. I checked and made sure the dirt didn't cover the roots. It can wash onto the root ball. Now I pour the water on top of the base to keep any dirt off it.
Am I watering too much? Not enough? ???
What is going on here?

 

[Meadowlark]

It sounds to me like possibly pine needle scale — tiny, protective shell (white) insects that attach to the needles and appear as small white flecks or scabs usually clustered near the base. These insects suck sap from the needles, causing discoloration, thinning, and eventual needle drop.

Scrape a spot with a fingernail and if it pops off like a tiny scab, its scale.

If it were mine, I would spray it with fresh neem oil this fall which should get those insects.

​

 

[cpp gardener]

A more thorough soaking a couple of times a week would be a better watering schedule. You want to wet the entire rootball and a bit more outside of that, then let it get mostly dry before watering again. This helps develop a bigger root mass that can survive without supplemental watering.
You could also use a systemic insecticide for faster, more thorough scale control.

 

[Black Hills Gardener]

A more thorough soaking a couple of times a week would be a better watering schedule. You want to wet the entire rootball and a bit more outside of that, then let it get mostly dry before watering again. This helps develop a bigger root mass that can survive without supplemental watering.
You could also use a systemic insecticide for faster, more thorough scale control.

I gotta think on that. Nursery was adamant that I water them and my bushes everyday this summer. I have been putting enough on to water the rootball and around it each day. Built little mounds around the plants.
What do you think about me just going to every other day and see?
We're going to have over 100 degree heat the next few days.
.
I admit I didn't try spraying the trees. I had a mixture in my sprayer of insecticide, a liquid compost, and liquid Iron. Sprayed the lawn about a month ago. The insecticide was because of little bugs that resembled fleas in the grass. I'd go in the house to change out the battery in the lawnmower. They'd be all over it when I got back out there.

 

[Black Hills Gardener]

It sounds to me like possibly pine needle scale — tiny, protective shell (white) insects that attach to the needles and appear as small white flecks or scabs usually clustered near the base. These insects suck sap from the needles, causing discoloration, thinning, and eventual needle drop.

Scrape a spot with a fingernail and if it pops off like a tiny scab, its scale.

If it were mine, I would spray it with fresh neem oil this fall which should get those insects.

​

I really need to wait till fall for the neem oil?
Between the yellow and the branch the needles are growing out of. There is a little brown part right at the branch. The I can scrape or pull that little brown part off. It feels rather waxy. Did same with a dead needle. Will just slip off the needle.

 

[Meadowlark]

I really need to wait till fall for the neem oil?

That's just me being extra cautious @Black Hills Gardener .

If you don't overmix, or spray in direct sunlight, and provide the plant some shade then chances of a leaf burn go way down...but again I'm being extra cautious. Use your judgement, they are your plants.

 

[Black Hills Gardener]

That's just me being extra cautious @Black Hills Gardener .

If you don't overmix, or spray in direct sunlight, and provide the plant some shade then chances of a leaf burn go way down...but again I'm being extra cautious. Use your judgement, they are your plants.

Looked into this further. Not nuts about the neem oil.
I just sprayed the yard with insecticide. It's permethrin. I don't have tons of those little "fleas" in my grass anymore.
Listed as often or more than anything else is over watering. I sure have been watering heavy everyday. I'm gonna cut back on watering. Every other day. Give that a try.

 

[Black Hills Gardener]

I finally figured it out. I was just plain watering too much. These Ponderosa Pines are used to drought. I got root rot.
All of them are damaged. One I doubt will survive. Maybe more? I'll see.
With all the drought we had. Now that I've cut out watering but maybe once a week. We're getting rain. Everyday a little. Today it's raining pretty good. And the trees are getting worse.

 

[cpp gardener]

If it's raining don't water.