Whats Wrong With Scotch Pines?
By Mark Vitosh Extension Forestry Specialist Iowa State University Extension Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris ), also known as Scots pine, has been planted for Christmas trees, windbreaks, wildlife habitat, and ornamental purposes for many years in Iowa. Identification characteristics of this tree include two slightly twisted needles (1-4 inches long) in a bundle, and in the top portion of the tree the bark of the branches and trunk have an orange color. In recent years, this species can be identified by its browning needles and quick death. In general, this type of quick death (within a few weeks to a year) is appearing on Scotch pine over 10 years of age throughout most of the state. Why are these trees suddenly dying? In Iowa, there appear to be a number of factors and organisms that are having an impact on the decline of Scotch pine. One key factor that makes this tree less adaptable to Iowa’s unpredictable growing conditions is that it is not a native plant. Since the late 1980s ther
