I probably should have put this under the original post abt failing, elderly pine tree, but thought it might not get noticed unless it were new. These are the lower branches. I'll post another picture or two to show size of tree & pine cone condos on the upper branches. Is this tree stressed, dying, or just normal for Ohio in the summer? Many thanks for any advice.
Big Tree! The fence is abt 4 feet tall.
Pine cones on top: plenty green cones, plenty old ones on the ground.
did you know that evergreens lose their needles continuously, as part of their normal growth cycle? I'm sure someone with far more expertise than I can come up with the technicalities, but it sure looks healthy to me. Maybe a little sun or wind burn too, but nothing too serious.
Knowing what tree you have helps the most in determining ailments and cures.
I think you have a spruce, not a pine. Most likely a Norway spruce, Picea abies.
Pic #1 with the brown needles looks like common mite damage in heat of summer on spruces. Without more info, ID is difficult.
Pic #2 and #3 look like big healthy Norway spruces in SW Ohio. Stress from heat/drought encourages mite infestations. Good deep occasional waterings help reduce the stress conditions. Consult an arborist for treatments if this is an especially prized tree, since mite infestations can lead to death of the tree.
I don't think it's that serious, most likely the heat. I would give it a deep watering or 2 over a few days. My pines do that a couple times a year, it's just dropping needles. Jan. is big for my trees to lose needles and usually late summer but you have a different tree and cilmate from me.
Just my thought.
Yep, Norway Spruce. I'd agree with water being all it needs.
Resin
Many thanks for the consultations and the advice--- to say nothing of the accurate ID of the tree. I'll work on the deep watering--- especially since it looks like we have another week of 90 degree weather with little chance of rain. I am a twitch paranoid abt these BIG trees because they're a real defining part of the property. At least I feel that way abt the evergreens, the birches, the oak, & the holly. I HATE the locust trees & wish they would dry up & go away.
Sorry --- I tripped on a locust tree root earlier. Again, thanks for the assistance.
