Sick scot’s pine?

[tamarax]

Picked up this scots pine from a local nursery in Massachusetts recently and I am worried it may have needle blight/cast. Though many needles look healthy others are turning brown and falling off. Some of the lower branches seem to be dying back completely. The tree is in dire need of repot which i’ve been reluctant to do since I know it’s not the right time of year. I hope this is the reason for my problems and not a fungus.

If it is the latter should I treat the issue now or is it better to wait until spring? Will it spread to my JBPs or my larches? Should I spray them as well to prevent it from spreading? Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

[Dabbler]

It honestly just looks like 2 or 3rd year needles just coming off - nothing to worry about. that branch looks like it wasn't getting a lot of light and the tree sacrificed it -might be a water problem or slight needle cast with the yellow tips but all in all not to bad

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I see nothing to worry about at all. I agree with Dabbler that it's just old needles dropping and some ancient needlecast.
Everything else looks in prime health.

Also, I have an ick for people saying a tree needs repotting. That's a me-problem first and foremost. But I like to explain it nonetheless to maybe help put your mind at ease:
All growth looks healthy on this plant and the shoot length is A-OK. This means that it has enough rootspace to build decent structures. This means it's not root bound or pot bound at all.
A bunch of roots on the outside perimeter of the soil means the plant is exploring the limits. It doesn't mean the whole soil is full of roots, probably the contrary.
Repotting whenever because of whatever is fine! But a need differs from a want. A need is when growth stalls or your watering regime doesn't match the soil type (though that's a caretaker problem, not the soil's problem, another discussion).
Your tree can go another 4 years without a repot, for sure.
Roots on the outer perimeter of the soil can trick us into thinking the whole soil is full with them. We chop them off, dig in, and find out there's nothing left. Ouch.
With that in mind, I think it's very good that you're taking your time and waiting it out until later.

It's a nice base you have there! Can we see a close up? Is this a grafted variety that you know?

 

[tamarax]

I see nothing to worry about at all. I agree with Dabbler that it's just old needles dropping and some ancient needlecast.
Everything else looks in prime health.

Also, I have an ick for people saying a tree needs repotting. That's a me-problem first and foremost. But I like to explain it nonetheless to maybe help put your mind at ease:
All growth looks healthy on this plant and the shoot length is A-OK. This means that it has enough rootspace to build decent structures. This means it's not root bound or pot bound at all.
A bunch of roots on the outside perimeter of the soil means the plant is exploring the limits. It doesn't mean the whole soil is full of roots, probably the contrary.
Repotting whenever because of whatever is fine! But a need differs from a want. A need is when growth stalls or your watering regime doesn't match the soil type (though that's a caretaker problem, not the soil's problem, another discussion).
Your tree can go another 4 years without a repot, for sure.
Roots on the outer perimeter of the soil can trick us into thinking the whole soil is full with them. We chop them off, dig in, and find out there's nothing left. Ouch.
With that in mind, I think it's very good that you're taking your time and waiting it out until later.

It's a nice base you have there! Can we see a close up? Is this a grafted variety that you know?

Thanks for the advice! I am new to pines so I guess this is just a case of me not knowing what a healthy one looks like. Here are a couple close ups of the trunk/base. I have no idea about what variety it may be or whether it was grafted but that thick base is definitely what drew me to it.