Atlas Cedar Trees Constant Needle Shedding

The following was received via email:

I have several very large(40 ft)atlas cedar.There seems to be a problems with constant falling needles and lots of green pollen coming fron them. They also sem to have lots of pine cones on them. The tree trunks are about a foot and a half thick with cracks in the bark could you tell me what to do I don't want them to die. I live in long island new york.They get plenty of water and sun so thats not the problem is there a special food or pesticede I should be using?
thank you for any help you can give me.
Very concerned, Faith

 

Needle drop could be seasonal, pollen and cones certainly are. Cracks in trunk could be frost injury, if bigger than normal. If certain there is a problem, ask an ISA certified arborist to look at them.

 

Hi Faith:

Deep bark fissures is normal for the old style Cedrus Atlantica.
If there is sap oozing from the cracks then I would have some
concern.

Needle loss is normal but excessive needle loss is not normal.
High salt content marine air, air pollution and high Nitrogen
levels can contribute to excessive needle loss. Are the needles
that are falling old or are they new? The old Atlas Cedars will
slough off the older needles quite readily in the warmer months.
The old style Blue Atlas does indeed produce a lot of cones and
quite a bit of dispersed pollen is a rather common event.

What I would need to see are the needles and see if there
is any speckling of yellow to brownish colored spots on the
needles which would indicate mite damage to me. When late
Spring temperatures start to turn warm it is a recommended
practice to hose off the trees with water, as best as you can
considering the size of the trees, to cut down on dust which
can help ward off a possible mite infestation. No need to use
a pesticide unless there is evidence of an infestation that
cannot be controlled by cultural means, in this case a good
dousing of water. Needle rust is common where you are and
a shower of water every now and then during the Summer can
help act as a suppressant as long as the needles are allowed to
dry out rather soon afterwards. Apply the water early to mid
day to ensure the needles dry out before the onset of evening.
Dry and dusty needles harbor mites whereas wet needles at
night will encourage the rust fungus.

Jim