The winter of 2000/2001 was hard on conifers. This is most noticeable along the roadway. The winter injury is worse this year due to low humidity, strong winds, and bright sunny days. Although the trees are not growing over winter they do use water. With the weather described above the needles were at risk for drying out. As they dried the dying tissue turned reddish brown. Although the tree may look near death don't be too quick to remove it. Buds are protected enough so that they should sprout again this summer, and the red needles will fall off.
You may have also heard that road salt is the cause of the red needles. This is true, salt is toxic to plants and red and white pine are especially vulnerable. The de-icing with salt and sand was frequent last winter and added insult to injury. When road spray lands on the adjacent conifers the needles absorb the salt and die back. More salt is added with every passing car, but there has been an abundance of rain this spring to rinse the needles clean before the tree develops new shoots. This summer the trees should begin to look healthier.
Although we can not control the weather or the di-icing there are things we can to do that will help reduce the effects of our Minnesota winters.
If you have any questions on species selection or tree health concerns feel free to
contact us!