Possible JWP problem - any advice please?

WHITEPINE

Hi,

I’m not really sure if I should be worried or not, but I think I may have a problem with my Japanese White Pine.

Some of its needles have turned yellow and then brown followed by falling off. The problem started with needles on the bottom branches, but it has now gradually worked its way up to the apex. The vast majority of needles still look healthy and there are plenty of buds developing, but many of the needle clusters do look thinner then when I first bought it.

When I bought it, about six weeks ago, I put it under shelter on cold and windy nights. But then I was advised to keep it out in all whether. It could be that the wet and windy weather has caused the damage, but I’m not really sure.

At the beginning, I think I did over water it, but now I let the rain do most of that. I do have a greenhouse, I was going to put it into that, but I’m concerned that the difference in temperature may be too much for it.

I live in Manchester, UK, In the last few weeks, the weather has mainly been between 55 and 65F. There's been a fair anount of windy weather and quite a lot of rain.

Any advice would be much appreciated.


Regards
Stephen

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md4958

hey stephen,

this white pine has been giving you all sorts of anxiety lately hasnt it? Are the needles that are yellowing the furthest from the new growth? It may be the older needles that are ready to fall off (normal) or it may be that there isnt enought light getting to those needles, and the tree needs to be thinned out.

I would say its probably the older needles if most of the remaining growth looks healthy... could you post a pic?

-Moe

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Lee

are you in a club stephen? there are many in this part of the world,for my money it sounds like the oldest needles naturally falling off,they will do this if they havent been cut off(better for the tree than pulling),but it would be best for you to join a local club,get involved,and then hopefully there should be someone there to help you.

WHITEPINE

Hi,

Yes, this purchase has caused me a fair degree of worry. However, I must say that what ever happens, I don't regret anything. It was my decision to buy, and if the worst happens and it dies, I only have myself to blame.

I will try to post some pictures tomorrow if I’m able to take pictures that clearly shows you the problem.

We have had a lot of rain in the past couple of weeks, and I do feel that this may have caused it to be over watered in the past few days. On the other hand, it is growing in akadama and kyodama, so it shouldn’t really be water logged. Finally, it wouldn't surprise me if nothing was wrong and it was just natural needle fall - its just that I thought that this occurred only in autumn?

Regards

Stephen

bonsaimaniac

You have to remember that JWPs do not like wet feet. If you have been getting a lot rain you can cut some thick plastic tarp and create a cap over the pot. We have to do this in the NW U.S.. It sounds like it is older needles dropping to me as well. It may be a minor issue with the tree being stressed because of a change of conditions when you bought. If you have candles forming I wouldn't worry to much.

WHITEPINE

Yes candles are beginning to form which gives me hope. I understand that Manchester, UK has very similar weather to NW USA.

I’ve taken the tree into the greenhouse for the night, but kept the door open. I've also tilted the container to one side, to encourage better drainage. At all costs, I'm trying to avoid root rot.

hansvanmeer

Keep it dry in a airy shelter, only water it when the top layer is dry(check with your fingers if the soil is dryish), than water. Now what ever happens to the health off the tree , you can rule out over watering!(The don't like being wet for to long!)
Try to make some pics of the tips off the branches!
Good luck,
Hans.

WHITEPINE

Hi,

As promised, here are some pictures of my Japanese white pine. The pictures are taken from the apex, which has only recently gone brown. Because of the size of pictures allowed, I'm not sure if you will be able to see much, but your opinions will be appreciated.

I have also included a pic of the full tree. It looks quite filled out, but it has lost a lot of needles in the last few weeks.

At last some warmer weather is forecast for this week, so I’m hoping that the tree will start to recover then - assuming that the problem is one of overwatering.


Regards

Stephen

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wabashene

Stephen,

Looks fit as a butcher's dog :-)
but do watch the watering. JWP tend to be a bit yellowy until mid summer but
you always get some yellowing and dead needles here and there.

You should be getting plenty of candles starting to show just now.

If you get really really bored get some of those flat edged eyebrow tweezers and pull the yellow and brown ones out.

Keeps me happy for hours and the tree looks better for it.

TimR

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