My pine/arborvitae is turning brown on the inside. Is it dying?

Good news: browning on the inner needles of pines, arborvitae, and other conifers in late summer or fall is usually seasonal needle drop — a completely normal, natural process, not a disease.

Why it happens:

• Evergreens are not truly "ever green" — each needle lives only 2-5 years depending on species
• Older, interior needles closest to the trunk are shed first, turning yellow then brown
• This is most noticeable in fall and can appear suddenly, alarming homeowners
• White pines are especially dramatic, sometimes shedding so many needles it looks like a problem

When it's NORMAL:

• Browning is uniform around the tree and confined to the inner/older needles
• The outer tips and newest growth stay green and healthy
• It happens in fall, often after the first cool snap

When to be CONCERNED:

• Browning starts at the branch tips or affects the newest growth
• It's concentrated on one side or one section of the tree
• You see needle spots, black fruiting bodies, or fine webbing (spider mites)
• It happens in spring or early summer rather than fall

If the pattern matches the concerning signs, use our Diagnose tool or consult a certified arborist — it could be needle cast, blight, or mites.