Question
I have a 10yr old dwarf pine tree which turn all brown last summer and is still brown today,,no green present at all. The branches are still strong and will not break off when bending. Can i do anything to bring back the green or is the tree considered dead. Thanks for your replay.

Answer
Hi Jack,

It is unusual for a pine to lose all of its needles.  Unlike deciduous trees, pines drop their needles little by little.  Defoliation may result from an insect infestation, disease or other environmental causes such as fire, etc.  

Given that your pine has not put out any new needles is not a hopeful sign.  Though, it is encouraging that the branches are still flexible.  To see whether there is any live tissue, scratch one of the younger branches (approximately 1.0 to 2.0 centimeters in diameter) with a knife blade or coin.  If you encounter a greenish tissue from which sap flows, the tree shows signs of life.  If, on the other hand, you find a cream colored or dull green layer that is dry, that part of the branch is dead.  There may be residual moisture in the branches which allows them to bend, but only live branches will have sap.

Give the tree a little longer, but if you see no new needles in the next weeks, then the tree is most likely dead.