Question
Hi,
I have a very old and tall pine tree and..the branches at the top are just fine but, the branches at the bottom have died/have dried.
What could the problem be?.  I do buy those stake fertilizers and hammer them around the trunk in a circle but, the fertilizer doesn't help.
What do you suggest?.  Some branches at the top have NEW growth where at the bottom, dead branches - why?.
What can I do about it?.

Answer
Conifers like most tree shed the lower branches as they get older.    It  is a relationship to shade and age. This is common. as long as the upper branches are green and putting on new growth there is nothing to worry about. I would however not use the tree spike since they tend to concentrate the fertilizer in areas and can burn the roots. I would instead use 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 lb per inch of trunk diameter scattered around the tree and watered in good. Apply just before a rain storm and you will not need to water. This will increase the root health and in turn the foliage.