Pine Parenthood
Posted by Kay Foster-Dorn on September 4, 2005
Q: What time of the year does the pine tree needles STOP shredding?
A: I wish you had given me your location so I could be more specific in my answer - there are about 35 species of native pines in North America and there are some differences. But in general, pine trees drop their needles in the fall. However, they can and do drop some needles all year long depending on a range of conditions. In a healthy tree, the needles that are shed are older needles, not the newer ones, and this is a normal process and shouldn't cause alarm. Take a look at this site for some basic info on this process. hortparadise.unl.edu
Not sure or not if your concern is the "mess" or whether your trees are sick or not but the needles can make a nice mulch. Pine needles are quite acidic so if you use as mulch, be sure you use where you want more acid conditions for your plants. Hope this helps.
John Wiessinger ( September 5, 2005)