If that part of your backyard is low or the soil has poor drainage, you might
consider
leveling it off. Another possibility is to actually do a type of raised bed
using mulch
and soil. This may give you the drainage the pines require. No evergreen I
know of
is happy sitting in saturated soil all the time. As mentioned already, getting
some
advise from an arborist or an extension service would be helpful. I would also
examine the trees for any sign of insects, blistering, or any other type of
attack.

Sherwin D.

wrote:

Hello,

I bought a house that has 20 white pines planted in the backyard to
provide a privacy shield for the neighbors. The problem is that pines
are dying one by one -- the needles become yellow and then the whole
pine dries up.

I talked to some people and they told me that this is because there is
too much water in the back of my yard. I tried to fix the water
problem, but the pines keep dying. So, I was wondering if you could
help me with some of the questions I have:

1. Is that a fact that pines don't like water? Could that be the
reverse -- there is not enough water or yellow needles is a clear
indication of a water problem?

2. Assuming there is too much water, is there a water resistant
evergreen that I can plant instead of white pines? Are all pines the
same, or some of them are more resilient to water problem?

3. I was wondering about Green Giants -- are they more resilient than
pines?

Thank you very much for your help!!!

Evgueni