Question
I have some Mexican Weeping pine tree seedlings that I started from seed last fall. I put them outside this spring to harden off...most of them are doing well and putting on abundant growth. Some of them I think have developed some sort of disease. It starts out at the tip of the branch, the needles turn grayish white color and die off, and this eventually kills the entire seedling. Any ideas on what is causing my Mexican Weeping pine seedlings to die off?

Thank you,

Derick

Answer
Derick:
There are a variety of disease organisms that can attack the foliage and twigs of our trees. Someone would need to examine a physical sample of the affected tissues in a lab to confirm the organism(s)responsible.  If you are interested in this process, you may wish to start with your local county Agricultural Extension office to get this process started.

If the problems seems to start on the tips, try just snipping off the affected portion and disposing of that portion.  Sometimes a bit of "surgery" can help.  In the meantime, be sure that the soil is not staying too wet.  It needs to be a soil that is well drained.  This will help prevent root rots that can manifest themselves as twig death.

Regards
Steve