What is causing our pine trees to yellow and die? We have lost a mugo pine, but when our white pine died and another looks sick we are really worried. We also have a Scots pine that doesnt look right--losing needles, and lower needles are yellowing. We do have two walnuts about 50 -100 feet away. Thanks.

There have been many evergreens since the drought of 2012 that have continued to be stressed. The very cold winter of 2013/14 was also very impactful to the overall health of needle evergreens. Plant loss over a wide range of evergreen species would suggest environmental stress. While there could be insects involved, more likely needle diseases promoted by the stress are more likely the cause. Watering during the hotter drier months and late in the season before the ground freezes can help a limited root system provide needed moisture to the needles. Fertilizing the evergreens during periods of active growth can supplement what the evergreens can provide naturally.

Black walnuts can inhibit plant growth under their canopies as a means of protecting themselves, the farther away the plants are the less they would be impacted.