Pine wilt nematode question

I live in an area where the Pinus sylvestris are dying en masse because of the pine wilt nematode. I did a search for information on which Pinus species were least susceptible and I'm not sure I got any clear answers.

I'm interested in planting one of the dwarf Pinus strobus, which are going on sale this weekend at our local nursery. I do not, however, want to bother if they're just going to get wiped out. Can someone tell me whether or not this species is disposed to the problem?

I can't trust the nursery to answer me. They still sell Scots pines, for heaven's sake! Thank you in advance.

Native pines to US are resistant to Pine Wilt.
Thats what I always heard anyway. I've never seen a dead, brown Pinus Strobus, only Scots pines here.
I couldn't be paid to plant a Scots Pine (aka Scotch Pine), it'd be dead before lunch, okay maybe not lunch, but nearly certain death.

I have a Dwarf Eastern White Pine 'Nana' that is doing real well in a 27.5 gallon planter.
Will

Dang, I was going to include a recent photo of my 'Nana', but can't do attachments on edit. That photo is below.

This message was edited Oct 7, 2006 1:19 PM

That's encouraging, Will! I know you guys in MO have the pine wilt mess pretty badly too, don't you? Your 'Nana' is exactly the cultivar I was looking at buying. Thanks for telling me what I was hoping to hear.

I know what you mean about the Scotch Pine. Pine wilt has destroyed a huge number of them here in SE Nebraska. It's sad, and infuriating that nurseries still sell them around here.

First, I want to be on the record as saying that I think Scots Pine is a great tree. I've actually considered changing my name from Robert to Sylvestris (sounds distinguished, doesn't it). If Boof Bonser (pitcher for the Minnesota Twins) can legally change his name from John to Boof, would this really be that strange? Over the past three years I've planted a number of Pines, including several Scots Pines (species and clones), and I'd hate to think they're going to be wiped out just as they attain the picturesque form they're noted for. Does anyone know how far north PWN extends? Is it in Iowa? Would you expect the warming trend we're experiencing to accelerate the move north? If you could look into your crystal ball and provide answers it would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Sylvestris

I have heard of Loblolly pine being grown successfully in Kansas, but I'm not sure about Nebraska. It wouldn't hurt to check. They are pretty tough trees.

More info here:
http://www.oznet.k-state.edu/hfrr/extensn/problems/pinewilt.htm

These are all resistane and worth trying:
Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata)
Virginia Pine aka Scrub Pine (Pinus virginiana)
Table-mountain Pine (Pinus pungens)
Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida)
Red Pine (Pinus resinosa)
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) - make sure it is a northern, cold-hardy origin, not one of the faster-growing southern origins widely used in forestry

Resin

Bob, are you feeling okay? Sylvestris? I wondered about that screen name of yours, after Japanese Honeysuckle. You didn't name your kids Ailanthus, Kudzu and Garlic Mustard did you? Just kidding you Bob! :)
Scots Pine is a neat tree, too bad its so susceptible to Pine wilt. 2 or 3 years ago I was at Arbor Day in Nebraska City, Nebraska, when I noticed some huge pine trees. At first I thought I had found some National champion Austrian Pine trees. I had a bunch of photos of them, that Resin said they were Scots Pines not Austrian Pines, over on that other forum. I was glad to know the identity of them. Thanks to Resin for speaking up and telling me, I'm not that good at id'ing. I was all ready to sign up for my credits for having found champion trees and everything!
Yeah, Scots Pine has fallen hard to the Wilt in this region. My uncle had 3 big ones across the back of his lot a year or so ago. I told him it was too big of a job for me to cut them down. One was all the way brown, the one next to it was about 75% brown and the third one down was half brown and getting more brown every day.
Its like they just go from tree to tree. I see them like that all around here. I'm thinking "cut that thing down quick",
but they never do.
When I find a good source I want to start growing Ponderosa Pine.
I've seen Ponderosa Pine at the Arbor Day Lodge, not Park, its a beautiful tree too, such long needles for the midwest.
This is a photo of the big Scots Pines in Nebraska City, NE, across the street from Arbor Day.
Will

I don't know why I didn't think of Shortleaf Pine, it would be a great choice.

Maybe my name reminded you! I like Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata), so I named myself for it!
Oops, Lonicera Maackii is Amur Honeysuckle, not Japanese Honeysuckle, sorry bout that.
I'll upload the photo of my Dwarf Eastern White Pine 'Nana'. It is a little brownish/goldish now, which is normal, it does that every year about this time.
The Missouri Dep't of Conservation sells Shortleaf Pine seedlings, but they say "shouldn't be planted North of the
Missouri River" in Missouri. Not sure how well it would do in Nebraska without northern protection.
I don't know how far PWN goes North Bob. That sounds reasonable to me that the warming trend would allow Pine Wilt Nematode to gradually move North.
Will

That looks great! Which is exactly why I wanted one. I went to the shrub sale this weekend, and they didn't have any. I've called around and am going to check some out tomorrow.