Blue Spruce Needles Turning Brown

Blue spruce needles turning brown

Spruce trees can show brown needles starting from the lower limbs and progressing up the tree. One common needle disease in Minnesota, Rhizosphaera needle cast, is caused by the fungus Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii. Blue spruce varieties are very susceptible to Rhizosphaera.

Can a blue spruce recover from needle cast?

Two years of treatment usually restores moderately affected trees to full foliage. Severely affected trees may require more years of treatment. Homeowners who have blue spruce trees that are losing needles can contact their pest control person to inspect their trees and spray if appropriate.

What causes brown needles on spruce trees?

Sometimes needles on spruce trees turn brown and no infectious disease or insect damage is apparent. A variety of “abiotic” (noninfectious) stresses can cause damage to spruce trees. Such stresses include drought stress, injuries to the trunk, winter injury, damage from misapplied chemicals, or root problems.

Will needles come back on blue spruce?

Unfortunately, once needles on an evergreen die they do not come back. However, if treatment begins early in development, new growth can come in, and the damage will appear less noticeable over time. While the Blue Spruce is most affected by this fungal disease, White Spruce and Norway Spruce may also be infected.

What does a diseased blue spruce look like?

Small black spots (fruiting structures of the fungus) appear in rows in the infected needles. The fungus is actually emerging from the stomata (natural pore-like openings) that occur in lines on all sides of a spruce needle. Green needles may show these small black fruiting structures.

How do you save a Browning spruce tree?

Prune back all dead or affected areas of the tree to avoid secondary infestations and disease. Provide the tree with one deep watering per week, allowing water to reach down 12 to 15 inches. Several light waterings will encourage roots to grow near the surface (augmenting the problem), stick to deep watering.

How do you treat a sick blue spruce?

For best effectiveness, fungicides should be applied when the emerging needles are half elongated (1/2 to 2 inches in length). Needle cast diseases can be effectively controlled with fungicides containing chlorothalonil.

Can you over water blue spruce?

As with so many other ornamental trees, spruce do not like constantly soggy or wet soils, which can lead to root rot and other harmful plant diseases. So be careful to avoid over-watering them!

How do you heal a blue spruce?

Currently the only chemical treatment for Cytospora canker on blue spruce in the landscape is an injected fungicide that must be applied by a certified applicator. Yearly fungicide treatments can help with needlecast but appropriate timing and good coverage are essential to reduce needle loss.

How do I know if my blue spruce is dying?

Needles Turn Yellow or Brown and Drop Off It's easy to tell whether your blue spruce trees are healthy or not. When you see that needles on many branches on the tree are turning yellow or brown, you should know that your tree is not well. The needles may eventually drop-off.

How can you tell if a spruce tree is overwatered?

Signs Of Overwatering Trees

The area around the tree is constantly wet.
New growth withers before it's fully grown or becomes light green or yellow.
Leaves appear green but are fragile and break easily.

What is the best fertilizer for blue spruce?

Sprinkle 10-10-10 slow-release granulated fertilizer over the soil in the root zone. Then, water with about 2 inches of water to prevent fertilizer burn. Better yet, use a natural and pet-friendly option like compost, fish emulsion, cottonseed meal, or alfalfa meal, to avoid burn altogether.

How often should a blue spruce be watered?

Watering Needs: Needs regular watering – weekly, or more often in extreme heat. Average landscape size: Reaches 10-12 ft. tall in a few years; 40′ ft.

How do you bring a blue spruce back to life?

Can You Save A Dying Spruce Tree?

Dead branches, twigs, and sick portions of the tree should all be pruned away to increase air flow around the tree's lower branches.
Remove and eliminate any falling foliage.
After eradicating any symptoms of infection, spray the tree with a fungicide.

Is it normal for blue spruce to lose needles?

Conifers - pines, spruces and others - sometimes lose older needles during the fall. This is normal, and does not indicate a pest problem.

How do you nurse a blue spruce back to health?

The most effective approach is to maintain the health and vitality of your trees. Affected branches should be pruned in the winter when the tree is dormant; pruning branches is the primary method of treating trees showing symptoms of Cytospora canker fungus.

When Should I spray my blue spruce for fungus?

Fungicides with the active ingredient chlorothalonil, copper hydroxide or mancozeb will protect new spruce needles from infection by Rhizosphaera. Make one application in spring or early summer when the new needles have grown to half their mature length. Make a second application 3 to 4 weeks later.

Do blue spruce trees need a lot of water?

Blue Spruce Care Although Colorado blue spruce is more drought tolerant than other spruces, it does need consistent water (from rain or irrigation) to thrive. Water regularly during the first season or two while the tree roots are getting established, then as needed during dry periods.

Can an evergreen recover after turning brown?

Unfortunately, there is no amount of tree care that can bring those trees back. The only thing that can be done with those trees is to cut them down. It can be discouraging to the homeowner to replace the dead trees with new ones.

What kills blue spruce trees?

Probably the most common problem affecting spruce trees is a fungal disease known as Rhizosphaera Needle Cast. This disease can affect most species of spruce, but is especially problematic on Colorado Blue Spruce.