Are your Conifers Losing their Needles?

Certain evergreens do their shedding in the fall.

You may have noticed some of your evergreens shedding their foliage in the last month or so. No need to worry, because of shorter days and

cooler temperatures this is perfectly normal. While our deciduous trees are turning brilliant colors of gold, red and orange, certain evergreens, conifers start to change color also.

Pines, yews, spruce, and cedar, to name a few, shed their old needles this time of year. Starting in October, they will shed their 3-year-old needles on the inner branches, uniformly throughout the interior top to bottom of the tree, and keep their 1 and 2-year-old needles. When spring comes, they will flush out with new growth, so conifers will always have new and old needles at one time.

If you notice an entire branch turning color, or the tips of the needles are changing color this is not fall needle drop and could be the sign of something else entirely. If you are concerned about your conifers, please bring in a sample branch or picture to one of our garden specialists and we will be happy to answer your questions.