Expert: Jim Hyland - 6/3/2010

Question
I live in the Texas Panhandle and I have two one year old Blue Point Junipers whose needles are turning brown on the inside near the trunk. What am I doing wrong and how can I fix the problem? Thanks.

Answer
IF the outer needles are green and there is new growth on the branches there is not anything wrong. The older needles will (usually the ones on the inner part of the juniper will die as new needles emerge in the spring. Thus is normal and this is what you have described. If the outer needles are turning then there could be a foliage disease problem. But seems to me this is normal.