micky writes:

I have a pine tree whose branches have died for the bottom 25 feet, but
which is alilve with needles and cones for the remaining 10.

Does that prove it's dead, or almost dead?

After all, normal thriving pine trees lose their lower branches all the
time.

Somewhat normal for a pine, depends on how much light the lower part
gets. If it's ugly, remove it and start over.

--
Dan Espen