Dieback in old wood of Mugo Pine

[drnis600]

Hi all, this is my first post so I don't really know what I am doing.

Anyway, I am new to Bonsai and have a Mugo pine that is about 25years old (a friend gave it to me when he could not look after it anymore). I am youngish and this tree is the best in my inexperienced collection. It is a cascade and I have noticed that underneath the cracked bark on the top of the trunk you can see white, hard wood underneath. It looks as if this section of the trunk is dead underneath the bark It looks similar to what you would see on a juniper jin but obviously this is not deliberate for my tree.

The tree looks health, nice and green with no dead needles. I looks as if there is nothing wrong with it but it has me very concerned. I have also noticed that there is a yellow fungus growing underneath the trunk where it is constantly in shade (as it is a cascade) and I don't know how to get rid of this or if it is the problem.

Hopefully someone can help out here as I have been searching on google on and off for several months and can not find an answer.

Regards,

Dave

[Bougy Fan]

Hi Dave and welcome. You will find the forums very hepful. Some photos would be helpful - we have a few conifer experts who could help if they can see what the problem is.

Tony

[drnis600]

Thanks for the quick reply,

I have tried to add a photo so hopefully it works

Cheers,

Dave

[Grant Bowie]

Yep,

That bit is dead. You can peel/remove the bark on the dead portion till where it is alive then stop. Don't peel or expose the cambium layer.

Treat the exposed old dry wood with Lime sulphur. Use a small brush and paint neatly/carefully the exposed dead wood.

Probably repot the tree next autumn.

I am about to do the same with my Mugo very soon but I will have to expose some live wood, wait for it to dry out a few months then paint with lime sulphur.

Here is a link to my Mugo pine story.

viewtopic.php?f=131&t=5034

Grant

[drnis600]

Thanks for the reply grant.

Why would this happen? Is it a common thing with Mugo pines.

Cheers,

Dave

[Grant Bowie]

Thanks for the reply grant.

Why would this happen? Is it a common thing with Mugo pines.

Cheers,

Dave

i have it in an old red pine that came with it when I bought it. Mine, like yours, is a cascade and it is on top of the trunk.

So maybe something mechanically damaged the tree when it was young. Or sunburn? Or when it was turned into a cascade it was damaged in the process.

The reason I said to repot the tree is that it may be in poor health and have some dead roots etc(hence the mushrooms feeding on dead wood). This could also be a reason.

The cambium and bark could roll back over the wound in time if you allow it to and grow it on vigorously.

Grant

[drnis600]

Thanks mate, appreciated.

I will just feed it heaps in spring and hope for the best. I hope I don't loose the tree.

Best regards,

Dave