Hello Sandra,

Based on what I see in your images you have what appears to be dieback in the top portion of the tree

PINES, SPRUCES, AND EVERGREENS TURNING BROWN FROM THE TOP DOWN

If you notice brown, dead needles at the top, something is probably wrong. That isn't normal and could be a serious problem. Plus, a pine or spruce tree donning a brown crown is no pretty picture. But does it mean the tree is dying from the top down? Or is the tree just in need of some TLC?

Here are some possibilities

HARSH WINTER WIND

Problem: Frigid winter weather poses a threat to pine and spruce trees, particularly their treetops. The crown is an easy target for harsh wind or sunscald, turning needles brown or purple at the end of winter or beginning of spring.

How to Fix: Avoid winter injury by treating trees with an anti-desiccant spray in the fall. Also, keep trees well-watered throughout the year. A tree with too much or too little hydration gets stressed out and is more susceptible to damage.

A PEST OR DISEASE

Problem: A number of pests and diseases can cause a pine or spruce treetop to turn brown. Let’s break down a few of the usual suspects:

• White Pine weevils lay their eggs on a tree’s main branches in spring. By early-to-mid fall, the hatched beetles start feeding on tree stems, cutting off their water flow.
• Bark Beetles leave a yellow-to-brownish tint on tree crowns. You’ll also find sawdust on the bark and base of the tree. They primarily target older or weakened trees.

• One of the few needle diseases that attack from the top down is pine wilt disease. Small worms called nematodes invade trees and quickly cause severe damage.

How to Fix: Inspect your tree for debris or insect remnants that can point to an infestation. Once you’ve identified symptoms beyond browning needles, contact an arborist. In many cases, using an insecticide or pruning away infected branches will get your tree back in shape.

I would highly recommend that you consult with an arborist -

TO FIND AN ARBORIST AND GET AN ONSITE HEALTH ANALYSIS OF THE SPRUCE TREE - IF YOU GET AN ARBORIST MAKE SURE HE OR SHE KNOWS INSECT PROBLEMS RELATED TO SPRUCE (CONIFERS)

To Find an Arborist (by Zip Code) please go to this link: https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/arboristsearch

Hope this helps!!