If you have pine trees on your property, especially Ponderosa pine or Austrian pine varieties, knowing about Dothistroma Needle Blight is important so you can save trees that happen to come down with this disease. Here are steps to take to protect your pines and how to aid in reviving them if any of the trees you own suffer from this condition.
Know The Indicators Of The Disease
A tree that is diseased with Dothistroma Needle Blight will have pine needles that have turned brown at the tips. Since this disease can take several years to kill a tree, at first a tree with the condition may not be noticed unless you take the time to observe the coloring of needles upon it. While the tips of needles are brown, the bases of needles remain green. The color difference is abrupt and a reddish-brown ring is noticeable between the two colors. The bottom portions of pine trees are most affected. This disease will eventually cause needles to fall off and an affected tree will die from the condition. If you look closely at affected needles, you will notice small bumps within the browned portions. This is a fungus that can be spread from tree to tree.
Take Steps To Avoid Dothistroma Needle Blight
If you have pine trees, you need to take proactive steps to help in the avoidance of Dothistroma Needle Blight. Pine trees need plenty of air. If trees are smothered by other pines or foliage, they will have difficulty battling for air. If you have plenty of other trees or plants near your pine trees, consider having them moved or removed so your pine trees are not overcrowded. In addition, remove the bottom-most layers of branches from pine trees to aid in air circulation. Another way to help keep pine trees from contracting this disease is to be sure to properly mulch the stump area on a yearly basis. It is also important to direct sprinkler systems away from the tree branches of your pines.
Get Help When Necessary
If you worry about Dothistroma Needle Blight or if you believe your trees are already infected, it is best to contact a tree specialist for assistance. A worker will take a look at your trees and let you know if they are indeed suffering from this disease. They will then apply a fungicide to your trees to help stop the disease from spreading. The fungicide results need constant monitoring to ensure the procedure is working properly.
To learn more about what to do with your diseased trees, contact a tree service in your area.
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