Today, quite often, summer residents grow coniferous plants on their plots - primarily pine trees. These crops look very decorative and are considered low maintenance. However, if the rules of agricultural technology are violated, various problems can still arise. If the needles of a pine tree turn yellow, what should you do in this situation? First of all, it is necessary to establish the causes of the problems.
Bad landing
In order for a pine tree to grow and develop normally, first of all, it is necessary to carry out planting work correctly. To prevent the needles of the crop from turning yellow, it is important to take into account some nuances. Often, novice gardeners deepen the seedlings too much.
The root collar, located underground, begins to rot over time. At the same time, the needles turn yellow and crumble. To prevent such problems, it is necessary to plant the crop in such a way that the root collar is 5-6 centimeters above the ground surface.
Planting in a wetland also causes problems. Coniferous trees cannot tolerate stagnant moisture. In addition, pine trees that grow in the open sun often turn yellow. The scorching rays provoke burning of tender and juicy needles. As a result, it appears burnt, dries out and crumbles. To prevent such problems, it is worth planting the crop in a shaded place. At the same time, it must have good access to daylight.
Another common cause of yellowing of needles is thickened plantings. When growing crops in close quarters, they begin to compete for space, water and useful elements. At the same time, the weakest trees change color, dry out and lose their needles. Therefore, when planting plants, it is important to maintain a certain distance, taking into account the size of an adult tree. The distance will vary - it all depends on the variety.
Improper care
In order for the plant to develop normally and not turn yellow, it needs to be properly cared for. At the same time, growing pine has certain characteristics. To get a beautiful ornamental crop, you need to correctly select and prepare the site, taking into account the cleanliness of the air and lighting standards. This will help avoid further replanting of the plant.The tree also needs timely application of fertilizers and soil moisture.
Uneven watering
The cause of yellowing and drying of needles may be a violation of plant watering standards. The death of needles is associated with both a deficiency and an excess of moisture. This is why it is so important to establish an optimal soil moisture regime.
Young plants up to 5 years old are recommended to be watered every week. In this case, 10 liters of water are required for 1 tree. It is enough to water adult plants 3 times during the season. Such crops require 40-50 liters of water.
In dry weather, mature plants require the same amount of moisture as young plants. In rainy times, it is recommended to reduce the amount of watering. It is recommended to moisten the soil only when its top layer dries 5-7 centimeters.
Lack of sun and lighting
In order for the pine tree to remain healthy and retain its decorative properties, it is important to provide it with adequate lighting. The needles often turn yellow when the tree is placed in full sun. In this case, the needles literally get burned.
Poor quality fertilizer
Fertilizer deficiency can be recognized by its appearance. In this case, yellowing and falling of the needles are observed. In this case, the needles become chlorotic in color, and the culture slows down its development. To cope with the problem, you need to use nitrogen fertilizers - nitroammophoska or azofoska. For 10 liters of water it is worth using 30-40 grams of the substance. It is recommended to apply such preparations in early spring.
With iron deficiency, the plant loses the attractive color of its needles and acquires a whitish tint. If such signs are detected, it is recommended to apply “Epin”, “Heteroauxin”, “Quadris”. It is recommended to use such products in a foliar manner. It is important to follow the instructions. Typically, such substances are used in the summer. In total, up to 3 feedings may be required during the season.
Poor air quality
Yellowing and dying of needles can be caused by exposure to polluted or polluted air. This is why the conifer may lose its beautiful green color. This process begins at the top of the tree, but gradually affects all fragments of the culture.
Before planting pine on a site, you need to carefully study the characteristics of the variety. If the description says that the variety does not tolerate air pollution well, and the site is not located in the most environmentally friendly place, it is worth choosing a more stable variety of pine. It is best to give preference to plants that are not too demanding.
Pests
Quite often, changes in the color of needles are associated with pest attacks. They can be recognized by a number of signs. In such a situation, it is important to take adequate measures as early as possible.
Aphid
This sucking insect forms colonies and in a short period of time can provoke the destruction of all needles. In this case, yellowing and falling of the affected buds, young shoots and needles are observed.
At the initial stage of infection, pests can be destroyed using folk remedies. To do this, it is permissible to use infusions of garlic, tobacco or hot pepper. A solution based on soap and ash is considered no less effective. In advanced cases, it is necessary to use chemicals.The most effective drugs include “Skor”, “Fundazol”, “Aktellik”.
Bark beetles
These parasites make many holes on the central trunk and skeletal branches. They greatly deplete the plant. As a result, it turns yellow, dries and dies.
Hermes
This is a small red-brown aphid that is covered with waxy hairs. Like adult parasites, Hermes larvae absorb juices from pine needles and branches. As a result, there is severe depletion of the crop, and the needles begin to die off. To cope with pests, it is worth using special insecticides. The most effective substances in this category include Mospilan and Confidor.
Red pine gall midge
This small two-winged insect is capable of literally laying more than 100 eggs in one clutch, from which sucking larvae subsequently emerge. Parasites chew out the needles, which causes them to turn yellow and dry out. To cope with pests, it is worth using effective insecticides. These include “Aktara”, “Mospilan”, “Calypso”.
Mealybug
This pest attacks the rhizome of the crop and gradually moves to its above-ground part. Recognizing the parasite is not difficult, since it is characterized by certain characteristics: an oval body up to 1 centimeter in size, many small legs and long antennae. Female parasites have wings.
It is important to consider that mealybugs can lead to the death of a pine tree. The parasite absorbs sap from tree cells.This causes its development to slow down. The affected needles begin to curl and become yellow in color.
At the initial stage, folk remedies will help to cope with insects. To do this, you need to spray the pine tree with a solution of green soap 3 times. To prepare it, you need to take 10-15 grams of the substance per 1 liter of water. Such treatments are carried out at intervals of 1 week. It is also permissible to spray the needles with garlic or tobacco infusion, or use a decoction of cyclamen.
In more complex cases, it will not be possible to do without chemicals. To do this, you need to spray the needles with solutions of Tanrek, Mospilan, and Admiral. It is also permissible to use “Aktellik”, “Biotlin”, “Aktar”.
Shchitovka
This parasite has an oval body covered with waxy scutes. Pests reach a length of 1 centimeter. Adult females are characterized by low mobility. They cover the eggs that are on the surface of the tree. At the same time, males, on the contrary, are characterized by significant activity. The larvae that emerge from the eggs first firmly attach themselves to the pine needles, and then begin to move around little by little.
The main danger of scale insects is that they actively absorb plant juices. As a result, suppression of the culture is observed, the needles lose their rich shade and gradually crumble.
Since the body of parasites is covered with scutes, it can be quite difficult to deal with them. Only those chemicals that have a contact-intestinal effect help get rid of pests. These include Intavir, Actellik, Mospilan.
Diseases
If the needles of a tree do not just turn yellow, but acquire a rich red color with a gray coating after the snow melts, you can suspect a fungal infection of the chute.Most often, this pathology provokes damage to young plantings. However, it also poses a certain threat to mature pines.
The main sign of pathology is the rapid death and yellowing of needles after winter. Often the needles turn orange in just a week. Adult plants begin to respond to the appearance of pathology 1 month after the snow melts. As a rule, the lower shoots of a mature pine die off.
The appearance of red and dry needles on the plant may indicate damage by fusarium. This fungal pathology prevents the distribution of nutrients from the root system to the branches and needles. This can cause complete yellowing and drying of the crown.
The yellow color of pine needles can indicate a variety of problems. These may be violations of planting and care rules, the development of diseases or pest attacks. To cope with changes in the color of needles and prevent the death of the crop, it is important to establish the cause of such processes as early as possible.
