Providing most of the needle drop is in the interior (not on the new growth) and barring any photos that would show otherwise, what you are seeing is perfectly normal. Pines only hold their needles for a short period - 2-3 years depending on species - and a fall drop of old needles is typical. Some years, the browning and shedding of old needles is slow and virtually unnoticeable and in other years, it can happen very rapidly, giving rise to the supposition the tree is "dying". It's not - it's fine.

That said, it's important to check the rootball. Is it moist or dry?

Dry is the most common problem for recently planted woodies. (The rootball needs to be watered more often than the surrounding soil.)

But too wet can also occur due to overly attentive gardeners.

So check the rootball for moisture by sticking a finger an inch or so into the top surface. Wet? Moist? Or dry?

Timing would suggest annual shedding of oldest needles. Timing could also imply the rootball has dried out over the summer, too. Conifers are often sold balled in burlap, unless small enough to be offered as one- to 5-gallon (or more) container stock. If you got this one B & B, the fine-textured field soil likely to have been on the roots may have had a problem with losing moisture to the surrounding soil you planted it in, especially if you have made it more coarse with soil amendments.

I have a wonderful contorted pine in my front garden. One of the unique things I found is it's needles brown & drop off twice a year - not all, just some of them. In the early spring & then again in the fall. It isn't dead - this is just a natural trait for this specific evergreen. It's a conversation piece in my community - most people here have never seen them before. We love it! We keep the needles raked up because they have a tendency to change the PH of your garden soil for other flowers, etc. We too thought it was dying but it is more beautiful when the brown disappears. Take heart & enjoy it! Regards, Pat

Thankd for all the info this is happ to me also and though it was dying.