Question
I have a large pine tree near one of the corners of my house. Over the last few months, the branches coming off the trunk have gone from slightly above horizontal to drooping toward the ground. There is some sort of lyme-looking stain on the bark. Could this be the problem, & if so is there some action I could take to try to remedy the situation? Thanks

Answer
It does not sound like a problem--the "stain" is more then likely a lichen which is not porblem to the heath of the tree. The branches will droop depending on the moisture in the air, age of the tree, and if it is growing in the open. This is normal growth and is not a problem.