Fall Needle Shedding

What Is Needle Shedding?
If you’re experiencing some browning of your evergreens, it is most likely what is called, needle shedding. Needle shedding is normal for evergreen trees and shrubs and is not a sign of disease or insect infestation. Many evergreen trees have needle drop because they hold their needles for only a relatively short amount of time. In fact, Eastern White Pine trees only hold their needles for 2 years before shedding them and making way for new growth.

Needle Shed Process
As older needles continue to get dwindling amounts of sunlight, they become less necessary for the trees. Evergreens prepare for winter by shedding these old, yellowish-brown needles.

What to Look For
Although it is early August, it is not atypical to see the beginning stages of casting happening now, particularly, if the trees haven’t received a sufficient amount of water. That being said, needle drop occurs within the inner needles. If entire branches are dying, then something else is happening.

We hope this helps eliminate any potential confusion. Just remember that fall needle casting is a normal process and their is nothing to worry about.