Pine tree turning brown - Ask Extension
Hello-I have four ponderosa pines on my lot in western Lakewood. Two are doing fine. Thirty yards away, two are suffering and have been a bit brown ...
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Pine tree turning brown #852662
Asked October 09, 2023, 3:06 PM EDT
Hello-I have four ponderosa pines on my lot in western Lakewood. Two are doing fine. Thirty yards away, two are suffering and have been a bit brown but as of this week most of the needles have turned brown. :(
Is there anything I can do? is this a water issue? insects (I don't see any)? Or the long term result of climate change?
Thanks for your advice in advance.
Jefferson County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Rebecca:
Thanks for contacting the Jefferson County Extension Plant Diagnostic Clinic.
it is not possible from the photos to determine the cause of your trees losing needles. If the brown/dropping needles are on the interior sides of the branches, this is a normal needle drop that pines experience every few years. If they are on the outside ends of the branches, that could indicate a problem of soil moisture or damage from insects or disease.
it would be best if you can bring in a sample of some branches that include both healthy (green needle) and unhealthy (brown needle) tissue. Of particular interest is whether the branches with the browning needles are putting on any buds that will be next season's growth, so please look for that evidence.
The extension office is open Tues- Fri 8-5 but a clinic master gardener will be there this week only Tuesday (12:30 to 4:30); if you bring the sample in later, there may be a delay in looking at it. If you plan to bring a sample, please send these photos to the clinic's e mail address: <personal data hidden>. The 'askextension' platform does not make it easy to transfer photos to the extension office where the master gardener will be looking at your sample.
When you bring in the sample you will be asked to complete a form with information about irrigation and other cultural care, as well as the age of the trees. Comparing the location and care of the trees that seem healthy with those that are losing needles will be important information for a diagnosis.
Pat B
Thanks for contacting the Jefferson County Extension Plant Diagnostic Clinic.
it is not possible from the photos to determine the cause of your trees losing needles. If the brown/dropping needles are on the interior sides of the branches, this is a normal needle drop that pines experience every few years. If they are on the outside ends of the branches, that could indicate a problem of soil moisture or damage from insects or disease.
it would be best if you can bring in a sample of some branches that include both healthy (green needle) and unhealthy (brown needle) tissue. Of particular interest is whether the branches with the browning needles are putting on any buds that will be next season's growth, so please look for that evidence.
The extension office is open Tues- Fri 8-5 but a clinic master gardener will be there this week only Tuesday (12:30 to 4:30); if you bring the sample in later, there may be a delay in looking at it. If you plan to bring a sample, please send these photos to the clinic's e mail address: <personal data hidden>. The 'askextension' platform does not make it easy to transfer photos to the extension office where the master gardener will be looking at your sample.
When you bring in the sample you will be asked to complete a form with information about irrigation and other cultural care, as well as the age of the trees. Comparing the location and care of the trees that seem healthy with those that are losing needles will be important information for a diagnosis.
Pat B
