We've had several questions about evergreens. Homeowners will often see their needles on evergreen trees turning brown and falling off in the late summer or fall and become alarmed. Needle drop on pine trees is a naturally occurring phenomena. If pine needles turn brown from the interior of the tree, and the outer needless stay green, there is no cause for alarm.Most people know that deciduous trees such as cottonwoods, oaks, or maples lose their leaves in the fall, but fewer people understand that evergreen trees also lose their old needles in the late summer or fall. Needle age at which drop occurs varies among evergreens and within species. Eastern white pine loses 2-year old needles. On the other extreme, bristle-cone pine sheds needles that are 14-17 years old. If there is die-back or yellowing on the tips of branches or needles, there may be a problem. Consider drought, salts, root damage, herbicide damage, soil compaction, insects, or other factors.
Occasionally, 'deciduous conifers' such as the bald cypress, larch, and dawn redwood are found in Idaho landscapes. These conifers all lose their needles every autumn, to be replaced the following spring. Don't lose hope - it's normal!!! Contact your local University of Idaho Extension Office - our Tree/Turf Team will get back to you about your concern. Follow us on Facebook where we discuss all about gardening, trees, landscaping and more!
