Yellow/Brown Crowns on your Pine Trees around Long Lake?
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Wondering what is causing the yellow to reddish brown patches in the upper crown of your Red Pines, also known as Norway Pines? One of our members in Neighborhood #5 discovered this was caused by the pine bark beetle, a native MN beetle. More than 60 trees had to be removed, from 3 properties.
The DNR Park Rapids Area Forestry was his first point of contact when he noticed reddish brown discoloration of the needles and a large amount of pine pitch on the bark of some trees. A DNR consultant forester did further analysis with the landowner. Then a tree service was engaged to remove the trees and safely dispose of them according to DNR guidelines, so as to not infect other pine trees:
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/treecare/forest_health/barkbeetles
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Pine Bark Beetle |
We encourage you to examine your Red/Norway Pine canopy for stressed or dying Red/Norway Pine trees. If you find discolored foliage in the crown, which is often the first noticed indication of a bark beetle attack, please consult with the DNR Park Rapids Area Forestry, 607 1st Street West, Park Rapids, MN 56470, 732-3309.
For an historical study of pine bark beetles, including examples of the devastation caused in Colorado, visit:
Bark Beetle Blues
Should the weather pattern of drought conditions like the summers of 2012 and 2013 begin again, the DNR Forestry suggests using a soaker hose in the drip area of these trees, so that one inch of water would be received on a weekly basis by the tree. Watering helps keep the trees healthy, less stressed and better able to resist the pine bark beetle. [
MN DNR Pine Bark Beetles Brochure.pdf.] Fortunately, there has been adequate rainfall so far this summer.