Hello,

Based on your images and your description. It sounds like your Eastern White Pine is experiencing some health issues, and it’s wise to consider pine beetles as a potential cause. To address the thinning and browning symptoms and to protect your other trees, here are some steps based on information from educational sites:

Diagnosis: First, ensure that the issue is indeed pine beetles. Look for signs such as small holes in the bark, sawdust-like frass (insect waste), or larvae beneath the bark. That is what a certified arborist can do onsite. You can consult a local certified arborist for a more detailed onsite assessment and personalized advice. To find a certified arborist in your Zip Code, go to this link:

Find an Arborist (treesaregood.org)

More information at this link:

Borers of Pines and Other Needle Bearing Evergreens in Landscapes (purdue.edu)

Treatment: If pine beetles are confirmed, use insecticides containing active ingredients like bifenthrin, permethrin, or cyfluthrin. These should be applied to the trunk, with a possible second application two weeks later. For systemic protection, products with imidacloprid may be effective on smaller landscape trees. More information at this link:

Control white pine weevil in early spring - Gardening in Michigan (msu.edu)

Pruning: Prune and burn any infested branches before mid-July to destroy the life stages of the pest. This can help prevent the spread to other trees. More information at this link: 

White Pine Weevil (psu.edu)

Cultural Practices: Ensure proper siting and care for your trees. White pines prefer sandy or loamy non-compacted soils with good drainage and a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. They also require plenty of sun and should not be planted where they’ll experience moisture extremes or heavy salt from winter road maintenance. More information is at this link:

Eastern White Pine - Modern Disease Threats to a Historically Important Species (psu.edu)

Sanitation: Remove and destroy trees killed by borers to prevent them from becoming a source of further infestation. More information at this link:

Borers That Attack Landscape Pines | Entomology (uky.edu)

Prevention: To protect your other trees, maintain their health through proper watering, mulching, and avoiding stressors like drought or pollution. Healthy trees are better at resisting pests. More information is at this link:

Eastern White Pine - Modern Disease Threats to a Historically Important Species (psu.edu)

Remember, these are general guidelines, and it’s always best to consult with a local arborist or MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostics for personalized advice. They can provide specific recommendations based on your area's conditions and the trees' health. If you want to save this tree, a certified arborist would be the best option – they would come onsite.

If you choose not to use a certified arborist, you have another option.

For a confirmed and precise identification of the problem, I recommend you send all your images by e-mail to the MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics Lab. The experts there can also provide you with the best treatment options. Their email is <personal data hidden>. Please include your name. The lab will let you know if they need a sample sent. FYI, the lab may also ask for additional images.

Their website is at this link:

Plant & Pest Diagnostics (msu.edu)

Their Contact Information is at this link:

Contact Us - Plant & Pest Diagnostics (msu.edu)

This link will explain the details of submitting a sample to MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics Lab:

Submit Samples - Plant & Pest Diagnostics (msu.edu)

I hope this helps!