Expert: Jim Hyland - 5/2/2006

Question
Hello. I live in Southern Minnesota.  Last spring we had seven 30 ft tall red pines transplanted to our backyard and our neighbors had seven from the same batch as well.  I think we may may have overwatered them, but i'm not sure.  Anyway, this spring one of the tree appears all the way dead.  It's orange from bottom to top.  I am concerned beacause the tree next to it has now about half orange and it looks as if two other are starting to turn on the bottom.  Help!!!!  Is there anything I can do at this point to save them?  Could my overwatering have done this?  My neighbor's trees are all fine which adjoin right up to ours. Thanks you in advance for your advice.

Answer
I am not real sure what is could be, I would suggest you contact the Minn. Division of Forestry and ask one of their forestrs to take a look. Most states do this service for free. Here is the link to their web site to contact them.  http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/contact/index.html