Why is my Pine Tree Losing Its Needles?
Are you finding that numerous needles on your pine tree have
been dropping off recently? Are you wondering why and if this poses a serious
problem? The answer is you don’t need to worry and for heaven’s sake don’t cut your
tree down! There a very good explanation for why this is happening and it’s
very natural.
Pine trees and most other conifers are referred to as
evergreens and their needles don’t always stay green and they don’t stay alive
forever. Usually every spring and summer new needles are produced and these
needles will last for 2 to 4 years, sometimes longer. As the trees grow bigger
each year, newer needles will always be produced near the branch ends and the
older needles are going to be farther back in the tree’s crown.
As your pine tree’s needles age, the needles are not nearly
as efficient at producing the food the tree needs. The newer needles also shade
the older needles, which is why you find the old needles eventually turning
brown and falling off. This does not damage your tree because there are always
a number of year’s worth of the newer needles there replacing the old needles.
So there is no need for you to be concerned, unless your
tree begins to lose needles at the tip of the branches. These are they young needles
and they have not yet lived out their usefulness. In these cases they are
likely turning brown and falling off because of some type of insect or disease.
If your tree is losing one-third to one-fourth of the tree’s
needles are falling off on the inner areas of the pine tree, it is likely a
normal sign of the tree aging. You don’t even need to rake up the needs as they
create an excellent mulch for under your tree. And of course, any time you are
unsure you should call your local tree care professionals.