Pine tree needle drop - Ask Extension
We have several pine trees that are turning brown at the bottom and dropping their needles. The brown needles on some of the trees appears to be movin...
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Pine tree needle drop #913692
Asked August 12, 2025, 9:07 AM EDT
We have several pine trees that are turning brown at the bottom and dropping their needles. The brown needles on some of the trees appears to be moving from the bottom upwards, others it just stay at the bottom and doesn't seem to be spreading as fast. We've had a severe lack of rain this summer so I've been giving all the trees a good soaking about 2 or so times a week. I've tried treating the trees with neem oil, I don't think it's helped. I brought a branch to a local nursery and they couldn't identify the issue. The worst tree was planted about 2 months ago, the others were planted about 3yrs ago, so I'd really like to not lose 6 young pines this year :)
Any ideas or suggestions on how to treat them is appreciated. Thanks!
Ottawa County Michigan
Expert Response
Hi Heather,
Looks like two different issues may be affecting the spruce trees at the same time.
First, the loss of older needles on the lower branches is likely due to needlecast, or a fungal infection of the individual needles. This is a common fungal agent, and affects blue spruce as well as a few other spruce varieties. You may choose to spray the new growth of the spruces each spring to help them retain their needles. This would likely be an annual practice for the life of the tree. You can read more about the fungal pathogen as well as management options at the link below.
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/rhizosphaera-needle-cast
It looks like the tips were cut off of one of the spruce trees? There is one brown, wilted top remaining - which makes me wonder, were they all brown and wilted? If yes, this was transplant shock that caused this year's new growth to die as the roots had not developed enough to support it. This tree will likely rebound and continue growing as the older growth continues to be a health color.
Best to water 2-3 times a week when rain is lacking. The longer it doesn't rain, the more you should step up watering. Even a hose trickling at the base of the tree for 15-30 minutes is as this is where most of the roots of a spruce tree are located.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Thank you,
-Julie
Looks like two different issues may be affecting the spruce trees at the same time.
First, the loss of older needles on the lower branches is likely due to needlecast, or a fungal infection of the individual needles. This is a common fungal agent, and affects blue spruce as well as a few other spruce varieties. You may choose to spray the new growth of the spruces each spring to help them retain their needles. This would likely be an annual practice for the life of the tree. You can read more about the fungal pathogen as well as management options at the link below.
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/rhizosphaera-needle-cast
It looks like the tips were cut off of one of the spruce trees? There is one brown, wilted top remaining - which makes me wonder, were they all brown and wilted? If yes, this was transplant shock that caused this year's new growth to die as the roots had not developed enough to support it. This tree will likely rebound and continue growing as the older growth continues to be a health color.
Best to water 2-3 times a week when rain is lacking. The longer it doesn't rain, the more you should step up watering. Even a hose trickling at the base of the tree for 15-30 minutes is as this is where most of the roots of a spruce tree are located.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Thank you,
-Julie
Thank you so much for this info, it's very helpful!
The worst tree is the newest one, planted about 2 months ago. That one started browning about a month after it was planted and has gotten progressively worse and is by far the worst out of all the trees. It was planted by a landscaper and I originally thought that was transplant shock and maybe it wasn't planted correctly as a lot of the root ball burlap is exposed on the backside - I've included 2 pictures of that tree, one from Aug 5 the other with more browning is Aug 10. Do you think the browning is more shock than fungus on that tree?
Is it OK to treat the other trees now? or is it better to wait for cooler weather in the fall?
Thanks!
~Heather
Hi Heather,
From what you describe, this was very much planted incorrectly. I'm sure you've corrected that - and maybe sliced through the burlap in the process?
It does look like it's continuing to brown out and lose needles. Have you watered it? Best watering regime is to let a hose run at the base of the tree on a trickle for 30 minutes 2-3 times a week if no rain has occurred. This should help eliminate the stress. The branches that lost needles will not grow them back. If you have any kind of warranty on the planting, you may want to follow up on it.
Feel free to respond or ask more questions!
Thank you,
-Julie
From what you describe, this was very much planted incorrectly. I'm sure you've corrected that - and maybe sliced through the burlap in the process?
It does look like it's continuing to brown out and lose needles. Have you watered it? Best watering regime is to let a hose run at the base of the tree on a trickle for 30 minutes 2-3 times a week if no rain has occurred. This should help eliminate the stress. The branches that lost needles will not grow them back. If you have any kind of warranty on the planting, you may want to follow up on it.
Feel free to respond or ask more questions!
Thank you,
-Julie
