Black pine loosing needles in June

[PNW_Bonsai]

My black pine has started dropping some needles. Started around a month ago. Only the inner needles are yellowing and dropping similar to what I’ve seen in the fall, but I did not expect to see this in June. The buds have opened and seem healthy and there is a fair amount of back-budding.

details on the tree below photos





background on the tree:

I acquired this black pine late last fall from someone moving. They said it is around 16 years old and didn’t remember the last time it was repotted. I repotted it in the spring and have let it recover since it was significantly root bound. Used a soil mix of akadama, volcanic grit, and peet/compost combined with the original soil. About a month after repotting I added some osmocote plus to the soil. We had a very wet spring here so I had moved it under cover to prevent it from being constantly damp.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Old needles turn yellow around now, totally normal. If you’re losing new needles, it’s a different story. (Yours is shedding 1-2 year old needles).

 

[namnhi]

I agree with that Brian said but I would check for mites. The first photo shows spider web and the branches don't look smooth.... almost like it ask something clinging to it. Could just be the photo though.

 

[0soyoung]

Looks pretty much normal, IMHO

 

[PNW_Bonsai]

Old needles turn yellow around now, totally normal. If you’re losing new needles, it’s a different story. (Yours is shedding 1-2 year old needles).

Thanks! That’s what I was thinking, but wanted a second opinion

 

[Scorpius]

My jbp are currently losing old needles as well. Can be a little disconcerting seeing this in the middle of summer.