Needle Retention Chart
Genus / Tree Type |
Average Retention |
| Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) | 2 - 3 years |
| Japanese Red Pine (Pinus densiflora) | 3 years |
| Ponderosa / Red Pine (Pinus spp.) | 3 - 4 years |
| Korean Pine (Pinus koraiensis) | 3 - 4 years |
| Mugo Pine (Pinus mugo) | 4 - 5 years |
| Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva) | 30 - 45 years |
| Firs (Abies spp.) | 4 - 7 years |
| Spruces (Picea spp.) | 5 - 10 years |
| Yews (Taxus spp.) | 3 - 5 years |
| False Cypress (Chamaecyparis spp.) | 2 - 4 years |
| Arborvitae (Thuja spp.) | 2 - 3 years |
| Hemlocks (Tsuga spp.) | 3 - 6 years |
Needle Retention Chart
This chart shows the number of years, on average, that different genera of conifers retain their needles or scales.
The autumn season is a typical time of year that conifers will drop their older foliage. For some, this can also happen in hot, summer months, particularly during a drought.
Take note of how and where the needles are yellowing. Standard needle drop happens from the inside (near the trunk) moving outward. The tree should retain the newer needles, located at the tips of the branches.
Needle drop that happens due to disease usually shows as yellowing from the new growth (tips of the branches) working inward, down the branch. If a conifer is dead, the green of it's needles will turn a "chalky green" throughout the entire tree before immediately turning brown.