Hello,

The two trees are crowding each other and the one next to the building has outgrown the area. This results in poor air circulation and competition for moisture and nutrients in the root zone. Poor air circulation can lead to fungal diseases on the needles, and root zone competition can lead to gradual decline and dieback.

The greenish crusty covering on the branches is lichen. They do not harm trees, they are just “perched” there.

Here is what you can do-

Redirect any sprinklers so they do not wet the trees’ needles. Water trees during droughts all the way around and without wetting needles- a soaker hose in a circle and shifted occasionally is a good idea. In fall, keep the tree watered until the ground has a hard freeze- you count rainfall in this, too. Most folks shut off their outside water system too early, and trees and shrubs- especially evergreens- go into winter too dry.  If these trees have never been fertilized, consider doing so next spring. See- https://extension.umn.edu/trees-and-shrubs/fertilizing-evergreens#timing-fertilizer-application-1340011

And a soil test before fertilizing them is a good idea- https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/dont_guess_soil_test_get_your_home_lawn_and_garden_soil_test_kit_today

You can hire a certified arborist, a professional who has taken training in care, diseases, pests and passed certification tests. He/she will come on site and give a complete assessment and a plant care plan. Find certified arborists by zip code here-

www.treesaregood.org

Arborists can safely aerate the root zone and have the special equipment needed to do this, and to correctly prune the trees, if necessary. I hope this is helpful. Thanks for using our service.