Browning evergreens in the PNW (Sammamish, Woodinville: how much, home, living)

[flyingsaucermom]

Let me first fully disclose the following:

I'm abnormally aware of, and concerned about, climate change.
I'm completely ignorant about seasonal changes in PNW flora.
And yes, I'm presently reading a post apocalyptic book (although in this fictional work civilization is unhinged by a pandemic unrelated to climate change).

Having said all that, I'm wondering how much of the damage I'm observing regarding our local trees is recoverable and how much isn't. I'm sure many of you (or hoping at least, some) have taken notice of the multitude of rust-colored saplings, especially along the roadways or on the fringes of undeveloped land and I can point out pockets here in the Highlands where entire rows of thuja have been wiped out completely.

This morning I was visiting a home in Sammamish and looking around the property with very tall trees I noticed that several of the tallest and largest amongst the evergreens have a large amount of browning needles... at least 20-25%, maybe a bit more, throughout the entire trunk, affecting inner and outer portions of the needles. I don't know enough about evergreens to even guess if my observation is simply a particular seasonal pattern in this particular species, or if it's stress from the drought and heat. I would be even more concerned if it were my property and it were my responsibility (and expense) to remove the immense trees if they died, but even so, one of the things I absolutely love about living here, especially the Eastside, are all these lovely trees.

Anyone have any insight about how the drought and heat is affecting our local ecology?

[Seacove]

I see browning on some evergreens in Woodinville too. I think some happens every year but I wonder if it's more this year with a summer of such little rain.

[Hemlock140]

Those rust-colored saplings are done. The lack of rain just went on too long and they dried up, because there roots were not deep enough yet. The seedlings pop up so quickly that if we return to normal weather, those younger trees will be replaced within another 5-6 years.

If you are looking at the Western Redcedar trees, they always shed 10-25% of their small branches this time of year. We have one about 60' tall, and the brown is starting to fall onto the lawn. If you are looking at a fir, they too shed some needles this time of year, but most don't fall off until we get a good wind, then the ground and roofs will be covered with them.