Austrian Pines

[Jace]

I was called recently about these pines, planted by a landscaper about 2 years ago(max), I believe. He thinks it is fungis related, but I tend to disagree... I dont feel like the damage is insect/disease related, but I may be wrong... I cant help but think maybe it is primarily signs now showing due to poor planting practice.(The very tall pin oaks that were also planted nearby dont hardly have a leaf left on them.)..
I am unsure of the depth of planting to the first root..There are some things like that, I need to check into further, but I only had time to snap some photos and take a quick look for now...

Anyone have any thots on trouble shooting the culprit of the die back in some of these branches?

Some of the problems with these would show only on the tips, be it pine tip moth, or diplodia... (but thses are not that way)
my first thots are of the problem, IF not root/planting related, could only be dothistroma....maybe, but unlikely...

( some mulch would be nice....)

As far as watering, the trees have been watered "regularly", I think....not reeeel sure tho...

The (3rd?) photo looks like dieback in the entire top of the tree to me, reflecting dieback in the roots???

Maybe sending samples to the lab would be something to consider....

Thanx for any thots in hunting down the problem here.....

 

[Raintree]

A few thoughts come to mind looking at the pics.

Would not suspect insect or fungus.

Some trees look too deep.

Me thinks the mower jockeys are blowing donuts around the pines. I'm guessing the die back in the lower limbs are from mechanical damage.

The one tree with dead top, did you look for a choking wire support from planting?