Tree expert needed. How can I save my tree? ?

It's kind of hard to make a definitive diagnosis without seeing the tree and gathering more information but I'll try to at least steer you in the right direction.

Austrian pines can be afflicted with pine wilt. So it could be that, but I don't think it is. Typically trees with pine wilt succumb VERY quickly. What was once a healthy looking tree is completely dead within a few months time.

My best educated guess is that what you're seeing is a couple of fungal diseases: Dothistroma and Spheropsis. Austrian Pine is highly susceptable to Dothistroma. You said that you've had storms in your area. Has it been a wetter than normal year? If so that's a good indication that it's one or both of the above fungal diseases. The spores of the fungi that cause both diseases are spread by splashing water such as you get during a rain. Further the fungi themselves prefer damp conditions.

My suggestion to be sure is to take a cutting that has both living and recently dead needles on it to your local extension office. They will be able to test it for Pine Wilt, Dothistroma, and Spheropsis. Chances are they'll be able to look at it and tell you right away as they've likely seen a lot of it this year.

If it does turn out to be Pine Wilt there's little to do, but remove it and plant native trees that don't die from the disease. If it's Dothistroma and Spheropsis there are some anti-fungals available that might help but effectivness is spotty and timing of application is crucial. Good cultural practices such as limiting over head watering, and removing all of the dead needles on the tree and around the base, are often more effective.

Good Luck! This is a tough problem to manage effectively, but know that you aren't alone. Anybody with Austrian Pines is having the same issues.

Mark has good advice all the way up to where he says if the neighbor cuts it too far back and kills it..... if he does, he's required to pay you for the tree's replacement!.... he can trim, but no kill the tree.... or he becomes the bad guy..... tell the complainer to go ahead and sue.... let him pay a lawyer to tell him he doesn't have a case!!... LOL!!.... you should NOT do this yourself if you decide to take down the tree!!.... lor, what if you did and it fell wrong and hit his house???????... no way!!!.... get a licensed , insured , reliable gang of tree cutters to do it..... and yes, I agree, you need to know if there's a 'stop' that applies to your tree... certain large trees cannot be removed just on a whim, like your neighbor's complaint.... we're trying to keep as many green and living as possible and the city has come to realize this and passed regulations for tree removals..... check with your town or county ..... your Extension Office could help with this, too.... then, if there IS a 'stop order', you can stick yer tongue out at the crabby neighbor!!... and if not, still, you don't have to remove a tree because it drops leaves..... but do check about trimming it from over his line..... of course, you'll need his permission to come onto his land to get those limbs..... or rather, the tree cutters will.... so ask first!!.... good luck....

I'm not an expert, but in the forest, I've seen numerous pines where the lower branches die off naturally. I always assumed that was because they were shaded by the upper branches as they grew larger.

If the top of the tree and the tips of the upper branches are showing new growth, that is a good sign.

This sounds like a tree worth getting real expert advise, even if it costs something. I would call a certified arborist to take a look at it and diagnose the problem. Depending upon where you live, a county agent might come out and look at it for you. Good luck.

Check and see if the needles are falling from the center of the tree. Hopefully you have normal needle drop of the oldest needles on the tree. Evergreen is a misnomer.

Since you don't say where you live I'm only guessing but in Iowa the Austrian pine is susceptible to these 3 diseases below is the link if you care to read a description of the possible causes.

Pine Wilt

Diplodia

Dothistroma needle blight

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ISUENews/Template...

the link below will give you photos of the diseases,dothistroma needle blight and pine wilt

http://www.plantpath.k-state.edu/DesktopModules/Vi...

check for spider mites