Anyone know what is killing spruce trees in the NE?

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I'm not sure if I am posting this in the correct forum, apologies if that's the case...

I have several spruce trees in my yard that I have been watching die one by one. 8 years ago they were all healthy trees with green branched from the ground to the top. I have noticed this happening all over the area I live in here in northern NY.

Does anyone know if it is bugs or disease?? Better yet, how to treat and possibly save the ones that aren't completely lost??

Thanks for your time.

 

[capetrees]

 

[Jed1124]

Probably Rhizospheara Needle Cast or Cooley spruce gall adelgid. Pics would help

 

[capetrees]

spider mites?

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

OK fellas.. Getting a little dark for pics here now. Will get some tomorrow and post em up.

Any particular pics needed?? Close-ups of needles, etc?

 

[Jed1124]

close ups would be nice. Healthy needles down to infected tissue

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

close ups would be nice. Healthy needles down to infected tissue

Copy that.

 

[capetrees]

While you take pictures, hold your hand out under a branch and tap the branch with the other hand. See if any small tiny bugs fall into your palm. Those are spider mites.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Thanks for the tips guys.. I know absolutely zero about this stuff... I just know how to cut em down... most of the time! LOL!

 

[ATH]

Get a couple of pictures of the whole tree too. And some of branches (besides the close-ups of needles).

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

OK, got some pics...

Second pic shows the end result. This was one of two trees that were planted at the same time as seedlings by my grandfather some years ago. I have already cut one down, but haven't done this one yet. In 2006, both had full green foliage from the ground up. I trimmed some of the lower branches in '06 when I bought the house. Then about 3 years later they began dying.

Third pic is of a privacy barrier my grandfather planted in the mid 80's. They were saplings of about 2-3 feet in height. Again, all these trees were full and thick top to bottom until a couple of years after the first pair started dying. And they seem to be getting worse fast.

Then I tapped a few branches over my hand as suggested and a little critter fell into my hand. I hope he shows up in the pics.

Other pics are of the needles, both in areas that seem OK, and areas that a branch is dying. I don't have many trees on my little 1 acre plot and I hate to lose any more if I can avoid it. I like my private back yard.

 

[Raintree]

The yellow speckled needles is an indication of mite feeding. Absent older needles is a symptom of Rhizosphaera needle cast.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

So bugs AND disease??

That doesn't sound good....

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I just googled Rhizospahera needle cast and the symptom of losing needles from the ground up is described on an article I read... That is exactly what has happened to the tress that are totally dead and is currently happening to the trees that are dying.

 

[capetrees]

You can spray for the mites. The disease, I don't know.

 

[Jed1124]

Rhizospheara can be treated with Chlorothalynil. 2-3 applications begining at the end of May at 10-14 day intervals. It generally takes 3-5 years of treatments for a tree to come completly back. Do not use hort oil on the blue spruce for the mites as it will take out the blue color. I like Forbid Miticide. Pricey, but works great.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Thank you all for the help and advice. It is much appreciated.