austrian pine troubles

[digrantsmith]

Can anyone help me with my Austrian pine?* It is about 10-12 feet tall and we planted it 8 months ago. Over the past month or two it has turned mostly brown.* The pine needles do not fall off when pulled, the branches are pliable, there are some scattered green areas (fewer every day).* I scraped at the bark and stopped when I got to white.* We live in Reno, NV with lots of pines in our area?* What did we do? Is it too late to save? Should we see what happens over winter?* Thanks tree people!

[Newt]

Hi Digrantsmith,

Some possibilities come to mind.* Pines naturally shed their older needles.* They shed from the interior out at this time of the year, some years more then others.

Since it was just planted 8 months ago how it was watered, planted and/or mulched could be a factor.* Check to see if the rootflare is buried.* Here's sites on how to plant, mulch and water.
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/planting/rootgrowth.htm
http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/pla...ees/f1147w.htm
http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/mulching.aspx
http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/water/az1298/
http://www.watersaver.org/pdfs/FALL_..._FOR_TREES.pdf

If none of that fits we can look for a pest or disease so let me know.

Newt