pinr tree needle browning and dropping - Ask Extension
Please advice. My tree has been planted at my property over 25 years. Its needles started to brown and dropping since 2 years ago and spreading.
Knowledgebase
pinr tree needle browning and dropping #924530
Asked February 12, 2026, 6:40 PM EST
Please advice. My tree has been planted at my property over 25 years. Its needles started to brown and dropping since 2 years ago and spreading.
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Hello and thanks for your question and the picture of your poor pine tree. Many of our conifers are in trouble right now due to prolonged drought and heat with our climate change. The best we can recommend is to give it water every couple of weeks during the dry part of our summer, a couple of hours of soaking at the drip line of the tree.
More is not better, so don't over water, but we used to have rain every couple weeks even in the summer and not nearly as much heat. Check the brown branches for insects and take them into your extension office or send pictures if you find something. The insects are probably not the problem if you do find some, as they like to move into stressed trees.
And keep fingers crossed that this tree will survive when many are simply giving up.
Best of luck,
More is not better, so don't over water, but we used to have rain every couple weeks even in the summer and not nearly as much heat. Check the brown branches for insects and take them into your extension office or send pictures if you find something. The insects are probably not the problem if you do find some, as they like to move into stressed trees.
And keep fingers crossed that this tree will survive when many are simply giving up.
Best of luck,
