Even though they are evergreen, redwood and pine trees are known for shedding large quantities of brown needles during late summer and early fall, a natural process that often catches people by surprise. This needle drop is part of the trees’ annual cycle and serves to conserve water and support new growth. 

To cope with drought stress, these trees allow their oldest needles to die off, thus reducing the overall demand for water. Additionally, this annual shed helps rid the trees of less-efficient foliage: Needles typically last for several years, but over time they become less effective at photosynthesis. Shedding older needles allows the tree to focus resources on maintaining the newer, more efficient needles. 

Annual needle drop is a natural, healthy process for these pine and redwood trees and helps them survive the seasonal challenges of the Bay Area’s Mediterranean climate. While it may seem like an alarming amount of debris, it’s a sign of the trees’ resilience and adaptation to their environment.

Terra Landscape Crews (TLCs) can keep up with the mess, clearing the needles regularly so they don’t get caught in plants and become a fire risk. It’s just one advantage of having a trusted partner keeping a trained eye on your landscape year round.