Pine diseases: their treatment, parasites and pests, how to get rid of and how to process

Pine is a beautiful tree, which is characterized by excellent decorative properties and a pleasant aroma. Despite undemanding growing conditions, this plant sometimes suffers from various pathologies and pest attacks. Most often this occurs when growing crops in adverse conditions. Today, many pine diseases are known, which differ in their characteristics.

Causes of infection

Infection of Scots pine or any other variety most often occurs in warm and humid weather. Usually such conditions are observed in the autumn. Some diseases even have enough well-moistened soil to moisten the tree.

Because it is undesirable to water the pine tree too often. If the trunk is covered with bark with a lot of cracks or has significant lesions, such places become excellent moves for all kinds of parasites.

Thus, caterpillars often live on plants under 30 years old. In pines of this age, many young shoots are still growing. They are distinguished by juicy bark and delicate needles, which are very popular with insects.

Also causing problems are too close planted trees. They are caused by a lack of sun, lack of air exchange, and a minimum of evaporation. In this case, the culture will become sick and infect the rest of the plants on the site.

Another common cause of the development of pathologies is the influence of natural factors. Any natural disasters provoke the weakening of trees and the development of various pathologies. Fungal diseases often develop after a long spring or a warm and little snowy winter.They almost always appear after a long period of rainfall. Pine can also suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, unsuitable soil composition and unfavorable climate.

How to spot a sick tree

For inexperienced gardeners, most diseases of Scotch or mountain pine show similar symptoms. The most common symptoms include the following:

• orange dots;
• ugly asymmetrical growths;
• spider web;
• white coating on needles.

In addition, with the development of pathologies, the needles become yellow, and new shoots become deformed. Gradually, the pine tree loses its attractiveness. In addition, her fragrance becomes less intense and fresh.

Common diseases

Today, many pine pathologies are known, the treatment of which must be started immediately. In advanced cases, trees have to be completely removed so that they do not become a source of infection for other crops.

Rust

The causative agent of this infection is the pathogenic fungus Coleosporium. Rust is considered one of the most common diseases of conifers. It is quite easy to identify the pathology. At the initial stages of its development, orange pads form on pine needles. Then the needles turn yellow. As a result, the tree loses its attractiveness. In advanced cases, pathology can lead to the death of the culture.

Treatment of the disease is carried out with high copper content. For this, the tree needs to be treated with such means as "Oksihom" or "Kuproksat". During treatment, it is recommended to spray the affected plant itself and nearby plantings, including herbaceous perennials. Fungal spores spread easily to nearby plants.

Fusariosis

This pathology mainly affects young immature plants. In this case, the needles begin to turn yellow and red, after which they dry and crumble. After some time, the amount of greenery decreases more and more, the tree dries, and then completely dies.

If fusarium has already appeared, it is impossible to get rid of it. That is why it is so important to pay due attention to the prevention of this disease. For this, pine seedlings are recommended to be disinfected before planting. Of no small importance is the systematic implementation of preventive treatments. It is also recommended to weed the near-stem circle and clean it of any contamination.

Umbrella disease

With the development of this pathology, the uppermost kidney begins to dry out, which subsequently dies. Then the disease affects the entire shoot. As a result, the death of all upper branches occurs. This pathology is also called scleroderriosis. At the same time, a white coating often appears on pine shoots and needles.

The risk of developing pathology increases in conditions of high humidity. To stop the progression of the disease, it is recommended to prune the affected branches and treat the bark with fungicidal preparations.

Cortical necrosis

Sometimes pines are covered with necrotic plaque. With the development of the disease, drying of the bark is observed. She is covered in bloom. In addition, fungal colonies form in these places.

From the moment of infection to the appearance of signs of pathology, it often takes a long time - up to several months. Weakened trees are more prone to necrosis. The risk of developing the disease increases in frosty or hot weather. Also, the likelihood of pathology increases in case of damage to the cortex by animals.

To cope with the disease, it is required to prune the tree to living areas. At the same time, it is definitely recommended to get rid of fungal colonies and treat these areas with copper-containing preparations. Equally important is the complete spraying of trees with fungicides. This must be done systematically - until complete recovery.

Rust cancer

This pathology is accompanied by the appearance of cracks on the trunk. Moreover, orange bubbles with spores appear in these zones. After their rupture, wounds form in this place, through which resin oozes. The presence of such cracks significantly increases the risk of tree death. It will be possible to cure the pathology only at the initial stage of infection. In this case, the area with bubbles must be carefully cleaned.

At the processing stage, it is important to get rid of all infected tissue and cut off part of the he althy one. Then it is recommended to wet the affected area with a solution of copper sulphate. Its concentration should be 3-5%. Then it is recommended to treat the damaged area with garden pitch.

If branches are affected, they must be removed. After performing all of the above manipulations, there is an insignificant probability of getting rid of the pathology. However, successful treatment at this stage is highly unlikely.

Pine Spinner

Rust fungi Melampsora pinttorgua lead to the development of this pathology. The disease is characterized by deformation of young pine shoots. Pine spinner affects both seedlings and young pine trees up to 10 years old.

The disease poses a real threat to annual plants. It can cause their mass death. Infection with fungi usually occurs in the second half of May. Infection involves basidiospores, which are formed on the litter of the last goal.

To avoid the development of pathology, in the spring, during the formation of basidiospores, it is worth performing a triple treatment with a solution of Bordeaux mixture with a concentration of 1%. It is also permissible to use a solution of polycarbacin. Its concentration should also be 1%.

Pests and their species

Pine can suffer from the attacks of a variety of parasites, each of which is capable of causing serious damage to the tree. To cope with pests, it is required to identify them in a timely manner and strictly adhere to the instructions for destruction.

Pine silkworm

This parasite is considered one of the most common and dangerous to pine, as it infects the plant most often and rarely occurs on other crops. This caterpillar feeds on pine needles.

It is not difficult to identify silkworms in plantings. Its appearance can be suspected by damage to the needles, which the caterpillar simply eats. If you look more closely, then on the shoots of the plant you can see the pests themselves. They are gray caterpillars that reach a length of 10 centimeters.

The danger of silkworms lies in the fact that in the absence of timely measures taken, the parasite can completely devour the pine tree. The insect is resistant even to winter frosts. It just waits for them near the roots, and with the advent of spring returns to the branches.

Pine is treated with insecticidal preparations. The most effective means include Lepidocid. For spraying coniferous plantings, it is required to prepare a solution and use 3 liters of liquid per 1 hectare.

Pine Owl

This parasite mainly feeds on pine needles and buds. Although the feeding period of the insect is literally 30-40 days, it manages to seriously damage the plantings. In this case, fresh buds and shoots suffer, which ultimately provokes the drying of the culture.

The presence of cutworms can be suspected by a noticeable depletion of needles, damage to buds and shoots. To cope with the pest, you need to use Lepidocide and other insecticides.

Pine Hermes

This parasite is a type of common aphid that absorbs the juices of pine needles.It is possible to identify the pest by various signs. At the initial stage of tree damage, pine needles are covered with white bloom. Subsequently, the needles turn yellow and fall off.

To cope with pine hermes, it is worth using insecticides - in particular, Actellik, Karbofos, Decis work well. Planting is required throughout the season. This is done at intervals of 4 weeks, as the generations of parasites change rapidly. To make the treatment even more effective, it is required to pour the Aktara solution under the root.

Green caterpillars

These parasites are also called pine sawflies. They cause damage to the needles. These pests differ in size from 8 millimeters and can greatly harm the crop. When a tree is damaged, yellow spots often appear on the bark. At the same time, pine needles curl, turn yellow and dry. As a result, all the needles seem to be eaten.

Almost all insecticides help to cope with caterpillars. But after processing, it is important to dig up and process the soil. Parasite larvae are highly survivable and can hide in the ground.

Spider mite

This pest often infects coniferous plants. Spider mites are small in size, so it can be quite difficult to detect infection in the initial stages. The risk of parasite attacks increases with high soil and air humidity and dense plantings. It also occurs in consistently warm weather.

When pines are affected by spider mites, the following symptoms appear:

• needles are covered with small light dots, which gradually grow in size and turn brown;
• branches covered with a white web;
• tree stops growing and seems weak;
• crop death occurs 2-3 years after infection.

To cope with parasites, it is required to use acaricides, since not all insecticidal preparations have the desired effect on ticks. The most effective means include Sunmite, Oberon. It is worth processing pine at least twice. This is done at intervals of 10-14 days.

Black caterpillars

Such parasites are miner moth larvae. They can also cause serious harm to the pine tree. To fix the larvae on the needles, the female entangles her with a web. Parasites are characterized by rapid reproduction. Their name is due to the fact that the larvae are able to make holes near the base of the needles. As a result, when touched, the needles fall off.

To cope with parasites, it is required to perform insecticidal treatment, loosen the soil around the trunk and act on it with effective means. It is also necessary to get rid of dead bark and close up holes in it.

Ants

Many gardeners are sure that ants do not harm the pine. Indeed, many species of these insects do not feed on needles or other tree elements. But the presence of an anthill near the trunk circle or in it definitely affects the plant negatively. The movement of parasites along the trunk of a tree leads to the spread of spores, bacteria and fungi. They are also able to penetrate the smallest cracks in the trunk.

To get rid of ants, it is recommended to rub the pine bark with a garlic solution. To do this, you need to grind 200 grams of garlic and insist in 1 liter of water for several hours. It is also permissible to use a soap composition with tar. If folk remedies do not help, it is worth using special chemicals.

Weevil

These parasites eat the flesh of the bud scales.At the same time, they gnaw through the surface of pine fruits. After the resin flows out, the females lay eggs inside. However, they most often provoke damage to annual specimens. After the invasion of parasites, it is no longer possible to use cones.

Usually beetles have to be collected by hand. To make this process more efficient, the pine needs to be shaken. Beforehand, it is recommended to spread a litter on the ground. To attract the attention of insects, it is worth turning on a flashlight.

Disease prevention

Any pine disease caused by fungal spores or parasites is much easier to prevent than to treat. To maintain the he alth of seedlings and adult crops, it is important to adhere to the following rules:

1. Monitor the quality and moisture level of the soil. Of no small importance is the systematic application of mineral fertilizers.
2. Plant pine in well-lit places with proper ventilation. Many pathologies occur when growing crops in shady places and when moisture stagnates in the soil.
3. Choose only high-quality seedlings for planting.
4. Treat pine trees with fungicides and Bordeaux liquid every year. These funds do not harm the plant, but make it possible to avoid parasite attacks and cure pathologies in the initial stages.
5. Systematically loosen and weed the soil near the root system. It is important to avoid the growth of weeds. It is unwanted vegetation that serves as a common source of pests and fungal spores.

In addition, every year it is required to carry out preventive pruning of pine and get rid of dry, diseased and injured shoots. After cutting and cleaning the needles, the branches must be burned. Otherwise, there is a risk of damage to he althy trees.

An important method of prevention is the strengthening of plants. With the systematic introduction of the required amount of nutrients, trees can maintain their he alth and maintain resistance to various infections. To achieve the desired results, it is recommended to use combined preparations.

Today, many pine diseases are known, each of which has its own characteristics and symptoms. Also, coniferous trees often suffer from pest attacks. To cope with parasites and eliminate the signs of ailments, timely action is required. For this, insecticidal preparations and fungicides are used.

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