Top Shoots Dying On White Pine (NJ) (Fruit Trees, insect, fruit)

[NJBoy3]

Just wanted to share. Been losing new top leader shoots on white pines for 2 years (NJ). Figured it out this weekend. Eastern Pineshoot Borer. Trimmed off insect laden shoots and put them in sealed plastic bag for trash pickup. Found a YouTube from a grower which also helped with ID and remediation.

Eastern Pineshoot Borer

[LIcenter]

Big problem here on Long Island.

[fisheye]

I believe you have a problem with the White Pine weevil. If you read this article you will see one picture of your dead white pine top (about half way through the article): http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/E-256.pdf. My father used to immediately prune off the dead section; but the timing is crucial. Here is one other good article that gives a lot of useful information: White Pine Weevil.

[NJBoy3]

Many thanks fisheye. I believe you are correct. The damage in the photos in the articles looks much like the damage on my trees. And I was able to cut out the 1/4 inch c shaped grubs (many in each shoot) in several shoots. And I found the old exit holes on old growth...very telltale.

I have a call into my local extension agent. I will ask him about spray applications as well as pruning.

I am beginning to realize I have to do more pest/disease scouting.

Any idea regarding spray applications? Effective chemical? - Timing?

[nuts2uiam]

Be sure to clean the printers with a bleach solution, too.

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by NJBoy3

Many thanks fisheye. I believe you are correct. The damage in the photos in the articles looks much like the damage on my trees. And I was able to cut out the 1/4 inch c shaped grubs (many in each shoot) in several shoots. And I found the old exit holes on old growth...very telltale.

I have a call into my local extension agent. I will ask him about spray applications as well as pruning.

I am beginning to realize I have to do more pest/disease scouting.

Any idea regarding spray applications? Effective chemical? - Timing?

First; your welcome; glad I could help.

That second link that I gave you has spray applications/recommendations. Your local extension office should also help make the right decisions at the right time.

As far as the 'nuts2uiam' post; I believe that is recommended for what I am fighting - fire blight on my fruit trees. But any disease/blight or pest should be removed from the host tree that you are trying to protect - so it is not a bad recommendation. I am supposed to remove my clippings 100 yards away from my trees.