Arbortech Professional Tree Care

When is an “evergreen” not an evergreen? Most conifers (cone bearing trees) are considered as evergreen. These include Pine, Spruce, Cedar, Fir, Yew, False Cypress and Juniper species, sometimes Larch, Dawn Redwood and Cypress are included. While these trees have leaves with needles or broadened leaves which are held on the trees often more than one season the leaves do not persist indefinitely. Most evergreens hold their leaves for 2-5 years and then the the older ones naturally drop much like deciduous trees. We often get calls this time of year asking about leaf colouring and drop on evergreens. “Are my trees going to be all right?” Most often the answer is yes. Natural senescence is the aging and dropping of old leaves and occurs on the inner foliage of most evergreens this time of year. If the inner needles are dropping and it occurs only in the fall things are as they should be. Exceptions are Cypress, Dawn Redwood, and Larch. These are considered deciduous conifers and they lose all of their needles in the fall each year. If you are unsure of your tree species we can help with identification if you wish. Some evergreens suffer from needle diseases which can cause needle drop but these usually involve more of the tree than natural senescence. If you are concerned about you tree health our Plant Health Care Technician can give you an opinion. Call for pricing of assessments if you have concerns.