Pine tree dying

Question: My pine tree in front yard is dying Lower branches have no leaves on them Please advise appropriate treatment

responder: Thank you for your question!   Laura S.      Michigan State University Extension Advanced Master Gardener Volunteer You may also contact the toll free MSU Extension lawn and garden hotline at 1-888-678-3464 with your gardening questions or visit www.migarden.msu.edu for Smart Gardening resources. Replied June 09, 2023, 7:04 PM EDT
response: Hi Katia, May we have one more picture of some of the green needles at the tips of the branches? Please be sure they are in focus, take the picture from  8 to 10 inches away, in good light. Thank you.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 09, 2023, 7:46 PM EDT
response: Katia Khoury Herro On Jun 9, 2023, at 7:04 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Thank you for your question!  Replied June 09, 2023, 9:48 PM EDT
response: Thanks Katia for the additional pictures.  This is a spruce tree, not a pine, and appears to be a Colorado blue spruce. These trees are not long lived in Michigan because our climate is too humid. This humidity encourages needlecast diseases, and blue spruces are susceptible. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what_is_spruce_decline_and_what_should_you_do_about_it Depending on which needlecast disease is actually on the tree, it can be sprayed every year, at the correct time, to help slow needlecast diseases. Firstly, you need to get a positive diagnosis and there are a couple ways to do that: You may email your pictures, and include a picture of the whole tree, soil to top branch, to <personal data hidden> Your clear pictures of the needles may identify what issue is occurring. **The lab may request you submit  branch samples and clear pictures of the whole tree, any damaged areas, dripping sap, cankers, etc. to MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostic lab. Instructions, forms, and fee schedule are on their website. If you have questions on their process you can call the lab during business hours: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/You may hire a certified arborist, a professional who has taken training in care, diseases, pests and passed certification tests. He/she will come on site and give a complete diagnosis and a plant care plan. Find certified arborists by zip code here—www.treesaregood.org Once you know which of the several needlecasts are present, if any, there is a specific spray program you will follow every year for at least 2-3 years. This will protect new growth and any needles not yet infected. However, already dead branches will not regrow needles. There could be other issues present, such as insects and cankers. An arborist can identify these. If the tree is large you will have to have a professional with powerful equipment spray the tree at the correct times each year. If the tree is too unsightly it can be removed and replaced with an evergreen recommended for Michigan: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/alternative-conifers-for-michigan-landscapes Whichever way you go, the best thing you can do for all your valuable trees and shrubs is keep them watered. They all need 1 inch of water per week. When watering, keep the needles and branches dry so you don’t encourage fungi to grow. If that’s not possible, you can water early in the day so needles and/or leaves on your plants will dry before sunset. To properly water a tree, thoroughly soak the entire area under the branches of the tree. Apply one or two inches of water twice a week when no rain is expected. If you use a sprinkler, you can place a flat-bottomed baking dish in the area being watered and watch the level to determine when 1 to 2" of water has been applied. More details on watering established trees is here: https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/watering-established-trees-and-shrubs#when-to-water-trees-and-shrubs-1261760