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Norfolk Island Pines dying
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Posted by dalla1 Vic-Australia (My Page) on Sat, Mar 6, 04 at 15:08
My attention has been drawn to the plight of local gardeners who have some of the oldest and largest Norfolk Pines in top north west corner of Victoria, near Mildura, that are dying from the tip down.
I first observed this happening on another huge pine tree in local park. These trees are all probably well in excess of 50 years old.
The drought could be blamed however all three would still be accessing water from nearby vineyard irrigation.
One owner observed some sort of white substance of the consistency of candlewax on the fallen fronds.
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Norfolk Island Pines dying
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RE: Norfolk Island Pines dying
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| As things get drier and drier, the trees will be taking up more salts with their water rations. If you taste the white stuff on the leaves I think you will find it is salty. The tree is doing all it can to get rid of the salts, (by exuding them through their leaves) but there might be too much to cope with. Just hope we get a lot of winter rain to flush the ground of salts. Hopefully the trees will hang on until then. Robyn |
RE: Norfolk Island Pines dying
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- Posted by dalla1 Vic-Australia (My Page) on
Mon, Mar 15, 04 at 7:56
| Thank you Robyn6014. I have noticed more of the same. Such a shame and these poor trees look quite tragic when seen from a distance as I drive into town. There will be no symmetry to these trees now. |
RE: Norfolk Island Pines dying
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| They are lovely trees. The early sailors planted them along the coast of WA and NSW - they were good as a temporary/emergency mast and they are so distinctive that they can be easily seen from out at sea - good for marking safe havens and fresh water sources. I love the smell of them and the feel of the needles. |
RE: Norfolk Island Pines dying
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| Norfolk Island Pines grow well near the coast because their needles have a waxy coating which protects them from the salt laden air. Some time ago, the trees along some of Sydney's beaches started dying. It turned out that detergent from waste water released in the sea was dissolving the wax on the needles, thus breaking down their defence against the salt spray. Could something similar be happening in your region? |
RE: Norfolk Island Pines dying
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| Water kills - now there is a surprise !!! irrigation + salt + + + = Stress = parasites/virus/fungi/bacteria = tree defence break downs = Phytophthora etc = poor trees = forums and what to do. Dalla sounds like either salt or Phytophthora damage to me be community pro-active and get the Mildura council to call in and conduct a soil/root test)- the plant have already provided ample warning!!!! regards M |
RE: Norfolk Island Pines dying
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Of course, lightning strike is common with these;
white gum exudate is common from any cuts or wounds,
but the salt one should be east to check |
RE: Norfolk Island Pines dying
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- Posted by dalla1 Vic-Australia (My Page) on
Fri, May 14, 04 at 18:26
Just thought I would let you all know that the more I look the more I see of these trees in varying stages of distress or death.
I now go with the theory of drought/stress even moreso now since travelling through to Port Augusta in SA recently and seeing much of the same along the entire route. A tiny spattering of rain here in Sunraysia overnight will do little to help these huge old trees.
I remember, as a small child in 1954, the Queen visiting Red Cliffs and she was entertained at a vineyard that had a matching pair of quite big N.I. pines at the entrance in what was back then one of the fanciest entrances to any of vineyards around here. Both those trees are well beyond saving now. Some of the entrances I see to vineyards these days are so flash in comparison but I still think look at the two peeling gates posts,the dying trees and remember the Queen's visit fifty years on.
Thanks all your suggestions and commiseratiions to those who are losing their lovely old pines. |
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