Vanderwolf Pine...is it alive?

6 years ago

Hi-

I live in Denver Colorado and would appreciate any help and guidance on my Vanderwolf Pine. I have 3 of these planted next to one another. I originally planted them about 10 years ago. Two of the three are doing fine. I replaced the third one as the old tree was basically dead last year. Now, this new tree is browning very badly and I cannot clearly find buds that are alive. After reading a different post, I believe soil drainage in this location may not be great. I remember when planting 10 years ago that this soil was very hard. The question...is this tree alive? And if so...what should I do to help it. It sounds like I need to attempt to create better drainage in this area, and remove/limit watering. Wondering if I can salvage this tree, or if better to find a different tree that may thrive on an area without great drainage. Thanks for any help!

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Comments (6)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
what did you find.. when you dug up the previous dead one???

is that this years spring growth ... or just about all of last years growth ...

i would suspect its dead ... i would recommend that you do not plant a P flexilis again ..

my MI is like a lot of CO ... and being a blue freak.. i planted couple to 5 of such.. and at about 10 years.. they all died ... i am no longer a fan ... i hate them ... they can all die.. lol ...

ken
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
oh.. its still early for pines to be budding out.. for me anyway ... you might give it a month or so.. just to be sure.. but dont hold your breath for said month ...

ken
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Embothrium
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
It has to be something where the most recent growth only was prone to being completely killed. As though this particular specimen was subjected to something that made it freeze back for instance, that the other two did not experience.
Steve Bauerle
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks Ken. I believe this started to brown towards the end of last year. So last years growth. I am not seeing many new buds on the pines next to it yet. When I pulled the other tree out, a very weak or non-existent root system. The soil here can be a very heavy clay which I remember having a really hard time digging the hole when I originally planted.
Steve Bauerle
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks Embothrium - Do you think i should cut off the brown/dead sections to make way for (hopeful) spring growth?
Embothrium
6 years ago
The tree doesn't need them to be removed to grow but it would certainly make it look better.