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marmar

(78,025 posts)
Sun Jul 16, 2023, 04:26 PM Jul 2023

What happened to all the green? Here's why some pine trees are withering to brown



(Detroit Free Press) Some Michiganders may be noticing a strange phenomenon occurring amongst jack pine trees: the needles of the trees browning and curling, causing the pines to appear barren and dead. Here's what's behind this shift, and what you should know.

What's causing jack pines to turn brown?

Jack pines in Michigan may be withering away thanks to an outbreak of budworm, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Budworm are caterpillars which feed off the needles of jack pine trees, and outbreaks of these critters occur every six to 12 years. After the budworm munch on the jack pines, the damaged tree needles turn a reddish-brown color in early July. Over time, rain, wind and other forces strip the already-damaged trees of their needles, leaving jack pines to appear as skeletons of once full trees.

The last large outbreak of budworm occurred in 2015 and left 118,000 acres of pines defoliated. In 2022 when the current budworm outbreak likely began, 28,000 acres of pines were defoliated. Severe infestations where many trees turn barren can become dangerous fuel for wildfires. .................(more)

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/07/16/brown-jack-pines-in-michigan/70414729007/



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What happened to all the green? Here's why some pine trees are withering to brown (Original Post) marmar Jul 2023 OP
That is going to be MuseRider Jul 2023 #1

MuseRider

(34,368 posts)
1. That is going to be
Sun Jul 16, 2023, 05:00 PM
Jul 2023

a lot of mess when they break out with fire.

I cannot even say anymore, the last few days here have worn me down. I do not know what to do in this weather. My crop is not real happy either. I do know when those pines go this time the fires will be something to watch for. Good luck.

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