Don’t panic! Though we call them “evergreens,” conifers such as pine, arborvitae, and spruce lighten their load of old needles at this time of year, with a show of yellowing or browning and dropping of needles that can scare a bystander at first.
Needle-drop is a normal part of the life cycle, though the rate varies by species. The losses are from the inside out, because the inner needles are the oldest, and as they age they are shaded by new growth farther out. Good thing the tree lightens its load, as snow and ice may be coming and extra needles could hold too much weight for the longer branches to bear.
As you are out and about in the Arboretum, check out the evergreens as they go through this change of season.
