Knowledgebase

brown Austrian Pine needles #714064

Asked August 16, 2020, 5:38 PM EDT

All my Austrian Pines (about 6) have needles turning brown. I can't say exactly when this year it started, but I notice more and more needles are becoming brown now. I cleaned away most of the needles that have accumulated underneath around the trunks because I was informed that those needles are a fire hazard. I see something like "resin" oozing.  I see a lot of white stuff on the part of the needles where they are attached to the stem.     
Hope you can help me. Thank you.

Washoe County Nevada

Expert Response

Is it possible for you to send me a photo of your trees? You can submit them here or you can also text them to<personal data hidden>.
Depending on the location of the needles that are browning out, it could be completely normal. I have attached an information sheet from Utah state that shows a photo of a normal needle drop and also explains the process.
I hope this helps and if not please send a photo so I can help you further.

https://forestry.usu.edu/trees-cities-towns/tree-care/pine-losing-needles
Wendy Hanson Mazet Replied August 20, 2020, 3:41 PM EDT
hello Wendy,
I enclose a picture of the Austrian pine where the top tip has browned/dried.
I am also worried about the white stuff at the base of the needles. 
Thank you for your help.
R. Banares
The Question Asker Replied August 21, 2020, 3:40 PM EDT
Thank you for the additional pictures. The needle browning on the interior is normal for the pine. From what I can see of the top of this Austrian pine you are going to lose the top foot or two. This is not uncommon in Austrian pines and another lower branch will naturally replace the leader. I do think that you need to expand your drip emitters and increase the number of emitters per tree. The trees are getting larger and their yearly growth appears to be lessening. With the browning on the needle tips and the leader dieback, I believe moisture is the main issue.

Typically the top or leader dieback is due to the lack of adequate winter moisture. From the photos, it does not appear these trees still have tree wells around them so you could do hand watering during dry winters.

You are not losing your trees, but it is time to make some changes to help them live a longer life and deal with the extreme heat and dryer winters ahead of us.

The white that you are seeing at the base of each needle is called the fascicle sheath and is normal in all pines. From what I can see of your trees you do not have any symptoms that lead me to believe you have insect or disease issues, just more moisture in a wider area under the canopy.

Please let me know if you have further questions.

Wendy Hanson Mazet Replied August 24, 2020, 3:45 PM EDT
Thank you very much. I will follow your advice. 
The Question Asker Replied August 24, 2020, 8:08 PM EDT
You are very welcome. Please keep the cell number if you need anything in the future.
Wendy Hanson Mazet Replied August 24, 2020, 8:15 PM EDT

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