Pine tree - healthy or not?

Question: This pine tree next to my home has bark which is about 80% black areas.  The needles are green and it does produce small pine cones; however, the branches are mostly bare.  I live in an HOA townhome and their maintenance person says there is nothing wrong with this tree.  Can you tell me if it appears healthy to you?  Thank you.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 09, 2024, 7:12 PM EDT
response: Hello, Thank you for your question about the dark colored bark on a neighboring pine tree in your HOA. The fact that the needles are still green and it is producing pine cones leads me to believe it is healthy.  Usually brown needles are the first sign of concern.  The last photo is a little concerning, however, I do not see any seeping sap or evidence of insects here.  You may keep an eye on it, in the event anything changes.  Key concerns are needle discoloration, branch die back, oozing sap or cankers.  The pictures are very helpful.  Please reach out to us again if symptoms worsen. Happy gardening,  Darlene Z Colorado Master Gardener

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 09, 2024, 7:55 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your question and pictures.  It is difficult to diagnose tree problems over the internet.  While your pictures are very good we cannot see the "whole picture." The needles in your picture appear to belong to a Ponderosa pine. It also appears to have a dominant trunk to a certain height and then  branches out into several larger branches, one of which appears to be as wide as the trunk.  The picture of the sap activity appears to be very close, if not "on," the junction where all of the branches start to split from the trunk.  Colorado State University recommends that when a tree is young and starts to grow one or more secondary "trunks"  it is  best to choose the strongest branch and properly prune off the other branches. This is so that there will be one dominant trunk, which is best for pine trees. If other branches are allowed to grow it can eventually weaken the tree.   Multiple branches arising at the same location (as in your picture) can cause structural weak ness as the branch collars cannot knit together and make a strong union.  We urge you to take a close look at your tree. Look for signs of beetles or any type of insect. Are there any small holes? Any sawdust looking matter near the bottom of the tree? If they are present there may be other issues.  If your maintenance person is a licensed arborist we would encourage you to take his or her advise. If he/she is not you may want to consider hiring a licensed arborist to come out and take a closer look at your tree.  Thanks again for your question. Feel free to use the Colorado State University website. There you will find research-based answers to most of your home gardening questions.  Below is a link that may help with understanding tree growth and decay. https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/611.pdf Kindly,  Kerry P El Paso County, Colorado Master Gardener

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 09, 2024, 7:59 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your reply.  I will look more closely at the tree.   Beverly Kersten  Psalm 18 ... The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.       On Friday, August 9, 2024 at 05:12:36 PM MDT, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: