Question
I planted two Austrian pines in my front yard in 1971, they were about 4' tall after planting them, they did well for years.  They grew to about 40'.  This summer I had to take them out, (expencive) they were dead or almost dead. The needles were turning brown from the inside of the tree out.  I have noticed a lot of pines turning brown like mine did. Many have had to be taken out all over the city as well, what is going on? This is so sad, I dont think there will be any Austrian pines left here in Wichita, there have been a lot of very old beautiful trees die here.  I have ask and everyone gives me a different answer. I tried treating my trees twice with some stuff from Bayer (the asprin people) that you soak in the soil around the base of the tree, it did no good. This is a big deal, what is going on?......My burmuda grass will do better this summer however, more light, does the acid that the needles put out in the soil (the needles are gone now) hurt the grass, should I put anything thing down for that??

Answer
There has ben a problem with a pine wilt in that area of the country. Here is a web link to information on this problem. http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/news/sty/2007/pine_wilt080107.htm
The needles should not be a problem to the grass as far as "acid". Grass under conifers does not do well due to the needles accumulating on the grass and shading the grass not any chemical in the needles.