Q: My evergreens are dropping lots of needles from the interior of the tree. Should I be concerned?
Q: My evergreens are dropping lots of needles from the interior of the tree. Should I be concerned?
A: Pines, spruces and firs drop their oldest needles every fall. Even though they are called evergreens, the needles are not “forever” green. The drought could also be a factor in a particularly heavy needle drop year. Before you blame the dry weather, the trick is figuring out whether you're seeing normal needle drop or a sign of stress.
Normal seasonal shedding
Older needles, usually closer to the trunk and on the inner portions of branches, turn yellow or brown and fall while newer growth stays green. This is most noticeable in autumn. During drought and winter stress when trees don't get enough water they may shed more needles than usual. Dry soil, hot summer weather, low humidity, and winter winds all contribute. Browning that extends to branch tips or affects multiple years of needles deserves closer attention.
How can you tell if there's a more serious problem?
If your tree has brown or yellow needles out to the branch tips, whole branches are dying, or the entire tree is turning reddish-brown. It’s time to investigate further. Look for fine sawdust, resin masses on the trunk, or other signs of insects. Spruce trees may also be affected by fungal needle diseases. Time to call a professional arborist.
Read our Q & As with Keith Funk answering common Colorado gardening questions here. See his website: gardenwiseguy.com and hear him on the Garden Wise Radio Show.
