centaura

Last spring I planted a small lace-bark pine in the front yard, and this spring the last 1/4" of every needle has turned tan. The rest of the needle looks fine, but the ends are a light tan. This will only ever be a landscape tree - though there is a small branch that I might trim off to root and try for a bonsai. It grew fine last year and seemed to take the winter okay.

Anyone know what might be causing my little pine its distress?

-Centaura

Prowler

Did you have a lot of cold wind, more than last year?

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centaura

Not that I was particularly aware of, but we did have a lot of freezing/thawing days, with a lot of ice. I wonder if that could have made it unhappy?

-Centaura

Prowler

Did a google, it appears they are hardy in a zone temp of 4-9, but this does not take into account of a very cold wind. Cheers.

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centaura

The first one I ever saw was in Chicago - which is slightly colder than me, but only by a few degrees. The have the coolest looking trunks I've ever seen on a pine! It was just funny, I know the cause of a lot of things that cause stress to trees in pots, and was stumped when a tree in my landscape had signs of stress. The new buds are looking solid and good, I'm hoping to get good growth out of it this season. I had to get a small one, as their big ones were waay more than I could afford, plus be able to transport. But in the ground it should catch up in a few years.

-Centaura

T.S.Wheeler

In Fredericksburg I've seen perfectly healthy pine trees in one location and very sick ones in other nearby areas. Given, it is certainly a different climate and a different kind of pine tree than yours, but perhaps the cause of ill-health is similar? All I can think is that an unhappy pine tree may not like its soil. But I'm really in no position to say much, I'm as mystified as you. All I know is that pines definitely like well draining soil which allows mycorrhizae to develop. But I think poorly draining soil is more likely to show yellowing needles as the symptoms; I can only guess that maybe it's been dry and windy. Sorry I can't offer a better diagnosis. It doesn't sound like a very terribly threatening situation, though.
Travis

Kansai

Centaura--I have to agree with Prowler. I sounds like you bought your tree at a nursery. Chances are it was grown someplace like Oregon and shipped to the mid west. Now it's going through it's first cycle in a brand new environment, so a little stress wouldn't be unexpected. Given that it's a pine, symptoms that you notice today are the result of events well in the past--ie this last winter. I don't think pathological symptoms would be showing up at this time of year. Mold, fungus, bacteria and insects aren't too busy during the winter. As long as the candles look strong, I'd think you're in OK shape.

DR

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Bonsai is easy! All you have to do is stare at a little tree until drops of blood form on your forehead.--paraphrased from Gene Fowler

Prowler

Centaura
I wish i had kept that link, but they did say too much water can turn the needles yellow, which i suppose is tan as you call it.
As you dug out that hole in yer garden did you simply put the tree in it? then backed filled it.
You should have dug a large hole, filled it with grit and sand.
As you stated this means a lot of water in the soil, so maybe this is the prob. Cheers.

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centaura

Thanks all for the advice, I was hoping that it was wind burn or some other stress from the winter, I'm not that familiar with pines to know. The whole needle isn't turning color, its just the tips that have dried up and turned a light brown. The rest of the branches seem okay. I can't take any pictures right now, my computer was stolen and I can't get pictures off my digital camera without it. I have no idea how long I'll be computer-less.

-Centaura

Prowler

Sorry to hear about yer mishap, but you are coming through loud and clear.
I just use a USB cable, but i don't know if you can use a photo prog. on a computer you don't own. All the best don't worry about pics.

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Its hell out there, give them hell back.