Current assessments by US Forest Service-Forest Health Protection office in Flagstaff suggest that the majority of this mortality is caused by the exceptional drought that this part of Arizona is experiencing. While there have been some scattered observations of insects on dead trees, Forest Health Protection believes that the initial cause of death is directly tied to water stress. Trees impacted by drought show a change in color of their needle-like scales, which typically starts at the branch tips and spreads down the tree, fading from green to a bright yellow.
In order to provide short-term protection against drought-caused mortality, homeowners can protect individual high-value trees through watering. As this die-off is not currently related to insects, insecticide treatments are not recommended. As a reminder, deep but infrequent watering at the drip line, the area below the edge of the tree’s canopy, is the most effective method for active water absorption. Watering at the trunk base is not effective. Generally, homeowners should water until soil is moistened to a depth of 18 inches and wait until soil dries to water again, about every two weeks. Homeowners should avoid overwatering as this can also harm tree health.
More information can be found at:
· USDA Forest Service Southwestern Region Forest Health Protection: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/r3/forest-grasslandhealth
· For proper watering techniques, refer to the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension brochure: https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1298-2017.pdf