Are these trees dead?

[Amadrosen]

These trees are in my backyard and the leaves/needles turned brown just after a snowfall in April. All the other trees around the neighborhood are thriving. Is this a sign that they are dead or dying? 

[Stere]

Larch?

 

Sudden larch death/Sudden oak death (P. ramorum) | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

WWW.DAERA-NI.GOV.UK

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Sudden larch death causes the rapid decline and death of larch trees of all ages. Stem cankers, needle lesions and canopy...

 

[Muddy42]

Yes, could well be phytophthora ramorum. It has devastated larch in the UK and especially Scotland.  Isolated trees can survive longer that large blocks of commercial planted larch.  I'm guessing its either something to do with genetic variation (commercial trees are cuttings) or better circulation of air and sunlight.

 

But wait, whereabouts are you, southern hemisphere? Larch are deciduous so their leaves turn brown or fall off anyway in the winter. Generally the first you know of phytophthora is when the leaves fail to reappear the next spring.

[Amadrosen]

I am located in the western U.S.A. I just researched the disease you are referring to. The bark looks more like it’s rotting in the pictures on the internet. Mine is just growing moss and otherwise looks fine. It’s just the leaves that look dead. Not sure if this is Larch, but I know little to nothing about trees and such. I guess I am just wondering if I should have an arborist come look at them or not.

[Dan Maynard]

I guess given that we are mostly in the UK, we're a bit limited in knowing what's normal. Also thinking about how close to the house they are, it would be worth having someone local and familiar with the tree species in your area have a look. See if you can find an ISA certified arborist.