Question
I have recently purchased a new home that has a very large conifer (I think a fir) in the backyard.  The top of the tree appears dead (and the top few layers of branches).  The rest of the tree looks fine.

Is there anything that I can try myself to help the tree?  Or should I hire a tree specialist to come and look at it?  Is it best to remove the top portion that has died?  

Thank you!
Lorie  

Answer
remove the dead top portion back to live wood. you may need the tree guy for that. fertilize the tree once in the fall and again in the spring w/a couple of coffee cupfulls of a good granular evergreen fertilizer sprinkled over the ground under the tree. get to a local garden center/nursery and buy some hollytone by espoma.