That looks like, for some reason, the Red Pine is not getting sufficent levels of water for some reason.

Two possible guesses. It is hard to tell from the overall picture but it looks like a number of the tips have begun to unfurl but have died before fully opening. That, and the general appearance of the dead areas look like symptoms of Sphaeropsis tip blight (also called Diplodia, they can't make up their minds which to call it).
In the closeups, it looks like there are small borer holes in the tips, which would indicate pine tip moth. If the tips break off easily and are hollowed out, that is tip moth, especially if you find a tan to orangish larva at the deepest part of the hollow. You may or may not as there are several generations per year and the tunnel may be vacant.
It is quite possible that both maladies can be affecting the tree.
hortster

Here is a link that might be useful: Tip blight article

I think that's banding I see on the needles and I'd include Dothistroma Needle Blight as a suspect.

tj

Here is a link that might be useful: Blimey blights

hey, tj, I agree with you...one leads to another. Red pine is a bit more resistant, but not unattacked by dothistroma. If so, we are talking about the proverbial "one cut prune" for this tree. We have all three maladies ripping Austrian pine in this area. Unfortunately, red pine is also susceptible to them.
hortster

Also, OP is not sure if it is a red pine. May be Austrian...
hortster

Thanks for all your info! I love this website! As for the pine, I'm not sure if it is a red pine or Austrian. I'm leaning towards red from what the bark looks like.

So.....I guess there is no good way to treat the issue of this tree and I'm gonna have to do the "one cut prune"! (I love that)

Well, at least I learned something new even though I couldn't save the tree so I supposed it wasn't a total loss.

I was so busy looking at the malady I didn't notice the tree itself. I'd say that's a Pinus nigra (Austrian Pine). The cones on the second pic are too pointed and large for a resinosa.

Sometimes I can't see the forest for the trees ;-)

tj

it doesnt matter what pine it is.. its terminal ...

how many years that takes is left to the whims of mother nature....

this had been discussed many times in the conifer forum.. where there are a couple peeps who can ID it for you. especially if you can get a pic of a cone ...

ken