i have several patches of scotch pine trees that seem to be dieing from the ground up. have you heard of any soil born diseases that would cause thisa

Greetings Dale:

Scotch pine is an extremely problematic pine species here in the Midwest seeing as this non-native pine is highly susceptible to pine wilt, brown spot, lophodermium needlecast, and several other diseases. To be honest, I strongly discourage anyone from planting this pine species as there are better adapted, more disease-resistant conifers that can be planted here in Illinois.

All I can recommend at this time is to submit a sample to the University of Illinois Plant Clinic when it reopens next spring for diagnostic purposes.

http://plantclinic.cropsci.illinois.edu/

Alternatively, you can contact a local certified arborist for an on-site assessment and evaluation of the tree.

http://www.illinoisarborist.org/CertifiedArboristsNew.htm

Best of luck!