Mugo pine - Ask Extension
My pine seems to have suddenly lost all of its needles. It still has several buds throughout. What could be causing this?
Knowledgebase
Mugo pine #793059
Asked May 28, 2022, 10:28 AM EDT
My pine seems to have suddenly lost all of its needles. It still has several buds throughout. What could be causing this?
Cass County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello Ruth,
The problem could be related to insects or it could be environmental. Does this bush receive enough water? Is it planted near a
sidewalk or street where it could be splashed with de-icing salts in the
winter? Has there been any recent digging in the area? And/or do you see any
evidence of insects? Look closely at the bark to see if you have any evidence
of insects like spots of popcorn-like tan pitch oozing from the bark. If possible, could you send a few pictures, one picturing the whole shrub and its surroundings and another picture closer up?
PLEASE LET ME KNOW - THANKS
Though pines and most other conifers are called evergreens, their needles do not stay alive and green forever. Generally, new needles are produced every spring and summer and last for two to four or more years. So, as the tree grows larger year by year, newer needles are always at branch ends and older needles are farther back in the crown. As needles age, they become less efficient at producing food for the
tree. They also become more shaded by newer needles. For these reasons, old
needles finally turn brown and drop off. This doesn't hurt the tree because
several years' worth of newer needles are always there to replace the old ones.
Do be concerned, however, if your tree is losing needles at the branch tips. These needles are young and have not outlived their usefulness. The culprit is probably some type of disease or insect. So, if one-third to one-fourth of the needles on the inner parts of your evergreen tree are falling off, it is probably just a normal sign of aging. Just rake up the dead needles, or better yet, leave them under the tree for a good mulch.
The problem could be related to insects or it could be environmental. Does this bush receive enough water? Is it planted near a
sidewalk or street where it could be splashed with de-icing salts in the
winter? Has there been any recent digging in the area? And/or do you see any
evidence of insects? Look closely at the bark to see if you have any evidence
of insects like spots of popcorn-like tan pitch oozing from the bark. If possible, could you send a few pictures, one picturing the whole shrub and its surroundings and another picture closer up?
PLEASE LET ME KNOW - THANKS
Though pines and most other conifers are called evergreens, their needles do not stay alive and green forever. Generally, new needles are produced every spring and summer and last for two to four or more years. So, as the tree grows larger year by year, newer needles are always at branch ends and older needles are farther back in the crown. As needles age, they become less efficient at producing food for the
tree. They also become more shaded by newer needles. For these reasons, old
needles finally turn brown and drop off. This doesn't hurt the tree because
several years' worth of newer needles are always there to replace the old ones.
Do be concerned, however, if your tree is losing needles at the branch tips. These needles are young and have not outlived their usefulness. The culprit is probably some type of disease or insect. So, if one-third to one-fourth of the needles on the inner parts of your evergreen tree are falling off, it is probably just a normal sign of aging. Just rake up the dead needles, or better yet, leave them under the tree for a good mulch.
