Is this normal?

[Lizzie'sMom]

Hello. We have evergreen shrubs an the end of our driveway and 2 out of 3 have lost all of their needles. This is our second year in our home and I don't remember this happening last year. Is this normal? Thanks in advance.

 

[Chuck]

View attachment 3728 View attachment 3729 Hello. We have evergreen shrubs an the end of our driveway and 2 out of 3 have lost all of their needles. This is our second year in our home and I don't remember this happening last year. Is this normal? Thanks in advance.

I don't think so. Go out and with a small knife scrape the bark off of a few of the larger branches. If you do not see green it is probably dead. Is this plant at the bottom of a slope in your yard and what kind fertilizers or other products do you use on your lawn

 

[Lizzie'sMom]

Thanks for your response. I checked a few branches and they were all green! It's odd, because there is a bush in between the two pines that seems fine. The plants are actually a tad higher than the actual lawn. (See new pic) The lawn was last fertilized in June with Scotts weed and feed. The needles just started dropping a couple of weeks ago. I've also sprayed roundup around the plants, but it's been a couple of months. The pines that are dropping needles are both on the same side the driveway. Hmmm.

 

[Chuck]

I am pretty sure that what is happening is caused by the Scotts Weed and Feed. The only way roundup would affect the pines is to spray it on them and the effect would happen rapidly. This is common and I have seen it before. I am sorry to say that your pines will probably die. On trees it takes a few months so I don't know how long it takes bushes. The herbicide in Scotts stays in the soil for months and your pines have a fairly deep and extensive root system.. I hope I am wrong

 

[Lizzie'sMom]

*Sigh*. I hope you're wrong too. I appreciate your help! We'll see what happens next spring. If you're right, and they do indeed die, will I be able to replant in the spring? Is there anything I can do to improve the soil?

 

[Chuck]

*Sigh*. I hope you're wrong too. I appreciate your help! We'll see what happens next spring. If you're right, and they do indeed die, will I be able to replant in the spring? Is there anything I can do to improve the soil?

If it were me I would go get a product called SuperThrive and follow directions. If it is the Scotts that is the problem your soil should be OK in the spring depending on how much rain you have to leach the herbicides out of the soil. The effects of Scotts lasts about 6 months under normal conditions. As for the soil I would rake back the mulch and lay down about 1/2" of good compost and then rake the mulch back. Stay away from chemical fertilizers, especially Scotts

 

[Lizzie'sMom]

Thanks for taking the time to help me, Chuck! I very much appreciate it!!!

 

[Primalclaws1974]

Evergreens are supposed to, well, be "ever green". The only time I see needles falling off like that is when the pine is sick and/or dying. Is there a drought going on where you live? Are other similar trees and bushes affected? It might be in your interest to dig it up if you have more ornament bushes and trees in your yard, in case the reason is a blight.