That is a tragic story, indeed! I have done this very procedure many times, so have courage. You can go about this two primary ways: the first is simply to repot the entire tree; the second is to cut off the healthy top and root it, and also repot and hope the trunk and rootmass survive. I think it is imperative that you use a free-draining potting mix. I use bark, perlite, lava rock, and just a little potting mix as a binder/moisture retentive ingredient. And when I say "a little potting mix," I mean less than 10% of the overall mix. If you can't mix your own, I recommend a fine-grade Orchid Mix, to which you will probably add some coarse Perlite. Repot keeping the roots moist at all times, thoroughly water and saturate the new mix when done, and place the tree in outdoor shade if available - no direct sun. Keep the mix uniformly moist with light waterings for at least a week after repotting. You can either repot the tree first, and the cut the top off....or you can cut the top off and repot the tree all at once. It's a bit of a gamble, as I don't know the vitality of the tree, but I have confidence from repeated experience that the top will root (if it is healthy as you describe). I place the cut top in a vase/jar of water, and I wait for white root primordia to appear. As soon as they appear, I transfer the cutting into a container of the same moist, free-draining mix, and I keep it moist while the cutting continues to root. I use #1 nursery containers.

Hello Everyone!!! Thank you for all of the nice comments.. Hi Marie!!! Mahalo to YOU!!! I do have a problem Lol. , ill be the first to admit it. It's only with Plumeria and Adeniums... I guess it could be shoes? Purses? So, I keep reminding my hubby of that. I also make myself feel better when I give them to others... Doubles of my plumeria and seeds Etc. makes room for more!!! ;-). Hope you and your trees are doing well In The south!!! Thank you.. I really appreciate the kind comments!!! I love your collection!!! HI Mark!!! My plans for the seed pod? "Why... Give it to you mate,,,". ;-). I have three others with pods on them as well...so when they are available.. I will let everyone know like I did on the Plumeria forum and who ever wants them, they can send me an email then.. When I post them for sending out!!! How are yours doing? My pachys have not flowered yet. Hopefully sometime. They were gifts from a friend last year and I'm hoping to see flowers soon. Maybe it was two years ago.. Lol. Oh well,,, Take care and nice to see you!!! Hi Paula... I do love the fragrance that the Plumeria have.. The Tuberose really are fragrant and in the evening.. MMmmmm, I love to go walking around the deck to check on my babies.. Thank you for the nice comments!! Hi Haworthia!!! I forgot you are in VB? where are you hiding? You need to come over and I can help you with some goodies!!! Im sure you are doing things right!!! Plenty of sunlight, fast draining mix and good nutrition. I like to use foliage Pro for the fertilizer for my DR's. it has all the necessary nutrients in there as well. Including Ca and Mg. so it is really easy to use. I fertilize weekly in the summer. This is a liquid fertilizer and I water the trees first, then go back with the fertilizer mix and re wet them . They stay in full sun on the back deck. Send me an email and we can get together if you would like and you can come over and see what I like to do. Take care.. Thank you! Hi Rhonda,,, you are so right.. You can't just have one !! Lol. Sooo true!! Thank you.. I love these little guys,,, Danielle.. I am sure you will see something next year. Growing DR's and Plumeria have taught me patience.. We need a lot for these guys.. Good luck!! Have fun.. That is what is important!!! ;-) Hi Heather.. Thank you.. I love my Big Buddha Belly DR. It has such a funny personality... Others do to!! I have the girl with " junk in her trunk!!" Too.. That is the one pictured with the pod. I have others with pods.. So if you would like some seeds. I Will let you know when they are ready. Thank you !!! Hi Sharon!!! Nice to see you!!! Our summer has been different too! We go from the night 90's to mid 70's and then back to 100's. it's is crazy... I hope it warms up for you.. We all still have August to have them do something here.. Good luck.. I think of all the beautiful clouds that you all Have in Ohio.... My in laws were from Ohio.. I miss looking into the sky and seeing those big beautiful puff clouds.. We get them occasionally , but not like you all in Ohio!! Beautiful.... Good luck with your trees! Hi Rick!!! Thank you for the kind words.. I do like to mess with my trees. This is my therapy when I come home form Work... Great way to unwind!!! The pool is very warm to some in my family right now.. It's perfect for me. I don't like it cold!!! Yes, we have high temps here in VB. the water is very inviting.. You are more than welcome to come take a dip or two!!! How are your trees doing this year?? I'm Sure they are looking great!! Take care, Rick.. Lol Chuy !!! You are so sweet!! Your collection is a good one too!!! Thank you though, I really appreciate all that you do and contribute. You are a doll!!! ;-) Have fun with the mix.. You will love it!! ;-) Hi Lady... Thank you!!! I love to grow and see what nature provides us.. It truly is amazing every time I step outside and see the trees again. They change in a matter of days, so when i leave for business, I come home to find all sorts of new and surprising things. It truly makes me happy!!! I hope you are having a great summer!!! So nice to see you as well... Hi Cynthia!!! I love the Desert Sunrise too!!! She is a beauty and always performs for me. Lol.. Now you have me singing the song.. " fat bottom girls..." To true!!! Lol They do have some junk in their trunk and I will say that they all have different looks and personalities. I have one that looks , well..,,, like a naked man!!! LMAO. I might get into trouble if I post.. Maybe one day I will share.. You would just roll over laughing... Thank you for the kind comments everyone"!!! Have a wonderful day!!! Mahalo Nui Loa!!! Laura

If you can find an image of an oak pollen catkin looking like that, I may agree, but the size, shape, and coloration of those objects is much like pics of some species of pine scales. "Extraneous plant material" is a good out, but not too persuasive until identified. As for the dried resin -- it had to get there through breaks in the bark, as resin does not magically appear. Whether resin can be released from scale feeding, I don't know.Scales do create a lot of honeydew which often attracts sooty mold, wasps, etc. At any rate, there seems no danger to the pine here.

LOL,sorry...I know how you feel. To this day one of mine seems slightly bigger then the other too. The best thing for this is leg lifts. Get on the ground on your hands and knees.Straighten one leg,and lift it slowly about 5-10 times. Do this once a day and your but will get a little firmer and more muscular.Do more on the side that is smaller to build it up more so it is even with the other.