Pine tree losing a lot of needles and bark

[Whiskers Merryweather]

This tree in my yard has never looked great or healthy to me, but I believe that this year it is losing a lot more needles and bark than usual. It has bark peeling up most of the length of the tree, starting at maybe 12 feet from the ground. Many of the branches look like they are hanging down. We lost the very top of the top of the tree in an ice or snow storm a few years back, but otherwise, haven't had any significant branches fall.

The tree is on our property but is right next to our next-door neighbor's house. I am concerned that this tree may be a danger. Does this tree need to be taken down? I am in CT. Thanks very much for looking. The photos were taken too late in the day to have direct sunlight on them, I could take others in the morning if these aren't clear enough.

 

[Raintree]

Red Pines have exfoliating bark this is normal. In Ct an insect called red pine scale is killing off the Red Pines. Very likely your tree is in decline due to this scale.

 

[PJM]

That doesn't look like any red pine I've seen. I think it's a Scots pine.

I notice some sap coming from the trunk. If sap oozing is not related to pruning cuts or abiotic damage, I would look for signs of attack by Sirex woodwasp.

 

[Whiskers Merryweather]

Thanks for the replies.

I had no idea what sort of pine it was when I posted, but after reading descriptions of both Red and Scots pines, I think that is correct that it is a Scots Pine. In particular, the needles are the correct length for a Scots Pine.

I will keep an eye out for those wasps. I read that Scots pine don't like flooding. I wonder if it's possibly just getting too much water; we get a fair amount of rain here, and my driveway is graded such that it puts a lot of water in that direction, at least since last fall when I had it repaved. It also doesn't get much sun as it is has a larger tree right next to it on its south side.

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/trees/handbook/th-3-171.pdf