We have a short needle pine tree (about 1 in.) that is losing its needles all over the tree. Its not just in one spot on the tree. There are other trees throughout the county that are doing the same thing? Have you heard of any diseases that are spreading in our area? Is there a cure?

Greetings Ursula:

I have not heard of any major "pine" issues other than our typical conifer issues common throughout the entire state: spruce decline; eastern white pine decline; and pine wilt / pinewood nematode. Most of these issue are due to the simple fact that many conifers planted here in Illinois are simply planted on the wrong site and on the wrong soil type. For example, planting blue spruce or eastern white pine on heavy-textured, poorly to somewhat-poorly drained soils is a recipe for long-term failure.

Furthermore, all forest and tree health concerns need to be addressed on an individual and site-by-site basis utilizing professional on-site assessment and evaluation. Therefore, please contact a local certified arborist to properly assess the visual decline of your pine tree.

List of IL Certified Arborists:

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

Best of luck!