Dear Peter,

Thank you for reaching out to the UVM Extension Master Gardener Program with your question.

You did not mention what type of pine but the pictures look like Eastern White Pines. The trees appear young but you did not say when they were planted. You did not describe your pattern of watering the trees. You stated that the needles are drooping. The foliage appears healthy. I do not see browning of needles in the photos, and I do not see evidence of needle drop. Drooping can be seen with heat stress or lack of water. White pines do best in moist, sandy loam soil. A recently planted tree may not have developed an adequate root system to tolerate dry conditions. Excessive rain can saturate the soil resulting in a lack of oxygen to the tree roots and impaired root development. This impaired root development can make the tree intolerant to an extended period of dry weather. The affected trees are on the edge of the tree line so they may receive more sun. Their roots could also be subject to trauma from mowing equipment. It is notable that there are mature pines that appear healthy behind the trees in question.

To keep your pines healthy you should water the trees during dry periods. A layer of mulch over the roots can help the soil retain moisture. White pines do best in soil with a pH of 5.5 – 6.5 so use an acidic fertilizer.

I think that the drooping is most likely secondary to heat stress and dry conditions. But if the trees do not improve with adequate hydration or you see additional findings such as browning of the needles and needle drop I would be concerned that you are dealing with another process. Close inspection of the bark of the trunk and the needles may provide clues to additional diagnoses. I should note that from the photos it appears that the trees are planted too close together. Placement of the trees should be based on the expected size at maturity. 

https://extension.illinois.edu/news-releases/when-worry-about-needle-drop-white-pine-trees

https://web.extension.illinois.edu/hortanswers/plantdetail.cfm?PlantID=245&PlantTypeID=7



Dear Peter,

Master Gardeners cannot do house calls. It sounds like you have been watering the trees appropriately and the trees are planted in soil that is a favorable consistency and pH. You said that you have 6 of these trees. It was unclear from your question if all 6 of the trees have the same issue. Trees are a significant investment and I want you to have the best information to keep them healthy. A lot can be learned from viewing the trees and their surrounding environment in person. I recommend that you hire an arborist. You can use the link below to find an arborist in your area.

https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/findanarborist

If the findings are related to heat stress, hopefully the situation should improve once the temperatures start to trend down.

Good Luck!



Hi Peter:

You could try contacting the Chittenden County Forester and see if they can help you. Or, reach out to a local tree warden. If they can't help, maybe they can recommend someone reputable who can. 

Chittenden County Forester

Brandon Benedict

111 West Street

Essex Junction, VT 05452

Work phone:<personal data hidden>

Brandon<personal data hidden>

Explain the investment you have made, the help you have tried to get. 

We hope you are able to get some positive advice and that the trees perhaps are just under stress from our hot/humid/wet weather we have had. We have seen a lot of stressed trees lately due to weather conditions. 

Best of luck to you!