Is this conifer dying?

[PastaandCheese]

A gardener man knocked on my door today and said one of the two conifers in my front garden is dying and if I don't take it out the apparent, unspecified disease will spread to the other, larger tree.

He then said he could cut it down for £120. I said no and looked at the tree myself. It is nice and green but if I part the leaves it is brown on the inside. Apparently this means it is diseased.

I would love a mumsnet opinion on this as I thought that conifers always looked brown on the inside.

I'd be very upset to lose either tree as they are lovely looking, well clipped and give some privacy in my lounge.

[ItsaMissTerri]

Just be careful.... Not suggesting that this gardener chap was anything other than legit, but just wanted to share that I have had two so called "tree/garden experts" knock randomly on my door over the past week and tell me a tree in my front garden needs pruning or else various dangerous scenarios may occur. And surprise surprise They can do the job here and now for £100 cash!! The same thing happened last hear at around this time too.
(I know that no work is needed on this tree!)

[PastaandCheese]

I'm almost certain he was every thing other than legit itsamissterri! He cleared off sharpish when I mentioned that I would need a receipt on headed paper, his VAT no and phone number if i was to agree to him doing the work.

Before that he wouldn't take no for answer and I felt quite uncomfortable being frog marched to my own tree and made to look.

That said I did look where showed me and the tree is brown inside. Google suggests this can be normal for conifers though or at the very least not indicative of it needing to be cut down.

[ItsaMissTerri]

awaytogarden.com/when-inner-conifer-needles-turn-yellow-or-brown/
Could just completely normal !

[PastaandCheese]

Thank you missterri. I was thinking last night that there is an RHS place nearby with very knowledgable staff so I could take some photos and a clipping there for some advice but I'm sure it's normal.

We used to hide in the conifers in my childhood home and I'm sure I remember them being brown inside.