Yellowing Pine Needles in the Fall

The fall is the time for the trees to change colors and their leaves fall. You know that’s not the case for evergreen trees, and it can be alarming to see the pine needles turn yellow or brown.
This isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. It is going to depend on the level of yellowing pine needles, and if there are any other signs of problems.

Why Do Pines Sometimes Shed Their Needles?

There are times that evergreen trees will end up shedding some of their needles. Before this happens, the needs will turn yellow and brown. It is a natural cycle, and a necessarily one for the health of the tree.

Most conifers, including the Douglas-fir and the Colorado blue spruce, will shed some needles in September and October. This is usually on the lower portion, closest to the trunk of the tree. There are times when it is further up, but not when it comes to the natural shedding process.

Shedding is important for the overall health of the tree. This helps to keep the tree in balance with the root system. The winter months are harsh, and it can be hard for the trees to gain nutrients. The best option is to shed a few needles to protect the needles further up.

When Is Yellowing a Bigger Concern?

If you see the yellowing in the fall, there’s no need to initially worry. However, there are signs that this yellowing is a part of a bigger problem. Sometimes, the yellowing and browning are signs that the tree is diseased or infested with bark beetles.

You’ll want to look at where the yellowing is. When it comes to the natural shedding, you may see some needles on the tips turn brown and fall, but the overall tree at the crown will look healthy. When there’s disease or a bark beetle problem, the yellowing takes place all over the tree.

The color change is also slightly different when there’s a beetle infestation. Usually, the coloring will start green and turn to a reddish-orange by the summer, rather than the yellowing color by the fall. You’ll also usually see something that resembles sawdust around the base of the tree from the beetles burrowing. There will also be some bark damage.

Don’t panic too much at first if you see the needles turning yellow in the fall. This could be a natural part of the cycle to protect the rest of the tree as the winter comes.

If you are interested in preventive beetle spraying, deep root watering or fertilizing, call SprayTech at (720)248-0000.