A: Unfortunately, the symptoms of over or under watering pines are identical, a browning and dying back from the tips. My tree specialist made the following recommendations:

If the pines were there before you were, leave them alone and let nature take its course.

If they were planted, the ideal way to water them is to put a drip line around the perimeter of the tree (just under the outer edge of the branches, not around the trunk) because that is where the feeder roots absorb most of the tree's moisture and nutrients. You should run that drip at a slow rate about 2 to 3 hours, ONCE A WEEK only.

Hopefully, if you follow that schedule, your Austrian pines will respond and thrive in the coming spring. If that doesn't work, you'll need to contact a certified arborist to evaluate the situation.

To locate an arborist or any other kind of home improvement specialist, visit Home Advisor, join as a member (it's free) and be matched with the ideal service professional in your area.

by Kathy Maynard, reprinted courtesy of HomeAdvisor.com