It is probably normal. Most conifers develop brown interiors (some types more so than others). Healthy green needles don't provide benefit inside the tree where much less light is present.

BUT, if the browning seems abnormal (and especially if the dead needles start appearing on the upper surface of the foliage or the browning seems to be occurring in patches rather than uniformly throughout the plant) insect damage or disease are possibilities. It's hard to tell a lot about the browning from the picture.

its also possible .. that it was a HUGE transplant ... and its not being properly watered.. if only brandon had linked his own link ... lol .. but i will for him ..

its a conifer ... all conifers shed their needles in 1 to 3 years .. and its always the oldest batch.. which as the plant grows.. are the interior ones ...

such is increased by drought the prior year... severe winter .. and transplanting.. especially a huge transplant.. which is anything over 4 feet in my world ...

insure proper water.. it is all that is needed ...

as brandon noted.. if this years current growth starts browning... it is for sure not properly watered .. and it is severely stressed ... that is what you need to watch for ...

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link

if you actually ID the plant.. and discover its latin name.. you will go a long way to be able to research information about it ... maybe you still have the tag ...

one might think.. that googling pom pom.. wont get you very far ...

the issue.. has nothing to do with the manner in which it is pruned ... care instructions would go with the latin name ...

ken

Thanks Brandon and ken :) I Love my ornamental trees so much and they're not cheap :/ so I try and take care of them as best I can!