Needle discoloration can indicate that your pine trees need more water or that they're suffering from a disease or insect infestation. Some types of bark beetles turn needles yellow or reddish-brown, while diseases such as dothistroma needle blight turn them brown, sometimes with dark brown stripes. Needles that fade to gray-green before deadening to brown are symptomatic of pine tree wilt, which affects Scotch, Austrian and ponderosa pines. Diplodia blight causes entire branches grow with brown needles. Mycosphaerella dearnessii, or brown spot needle blight, may affect Scotch, Austrian and red pines. While the spots may appear at any time of year, they are most prevalent in summer, and the tree turns brown quickly. Discolored needles can also indicate rot from over-watering or poor-draining soil.

Pine trees shed their oldest needles in late summer and early fall. Typically, the needles on the tips of the branches are the youngest, meaning they remain green while the inner needles turn brown and fall. However, if you notice excessive needle drop -- particularly along the ends of the branches, where needles should be young and healthy -- something is wrong. Possible causes are drought stress, waterlogged soil, nitrogen deficiency, insect infestations, air pollution or disease. Diagnosing the exact sickness or problem can help you adjust the environment to suit your pine trees' needs.

The smartest way to prevent disease is to provide pine trees with proper care. They prefer rich, well-drained soil and a sunny location. Mulch can help keep the soil moist to reduce water stress, with the added benefit of preventing weeds from growing that would otherwise steal nutrients from pines. Fertilize with a slow-release fertilizer when possible, especially with young trees that are sensitive to large doses of quick-release fertilizers. Measure the trunk's diameter, and for every inch apply 2 pounds of a 10-10-10 fertilizer; alternatively, apply 2 to 4 pounds per 100 square feet of soil area.

Your tree looks like it may be past saving.

Hope this helps!