Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: 'Red pine', 1 by Weerobin

Weerobin wrote:
I inherited a 'dward red pine' 15 yrs ago when we moved into our house.
It has reliably remained dwarf for the many years since we moved in.
But it gets this predictable needle drop mid-late summer every year,
which reduces it's ornamental appeal.
New foliage always looks great, but the rest of the plant looks awful.
I thought I recalled somewhere that spider mites were to blame.
At any rate, it looks particularly alarming this year.
The new growth at the ends of the branches looks fine.
But everything else is brown and brittle.
While I'm well acquainted with the 'brown & brittle' look,
it seems to me it's getting worse over the years.
It was surprisingly difficult to determine if it's a 2-needle pine, but I think it is.
Should I be doing something to keep it from looking so awful late summer?
1st pic shows it's proximity to a weeping cedar of Lebanon. A 'Hollywood juniper' at it's feet.
I'd also appreciate a confirmation of the pine species.