Lexington County longleaf pine trees are beginning to shed their needles.

This is a natural occurrence that takes place in the fall SCDNR biologist Johnny Stowe said.

Dry weather and high temperatures are causing this early again this year.

Don’t become alarmed if you see brown needles on your longleafs.

The trees are evergreens but the term can be misleading. Longleaf pines retain some needles year round in years with normal rainfall.

Bundles of needles generally remain on the tree for 2 growing seasons and are shed in the fall.

In years with low rainfall over the last 15 years many longleaf pines dropped their needles in late July.

Stowe said he has seen healthy longleaf pines drop needles before the summer solstice only once.

Severe stress may kill some trees.