Norway spruce looking sickly

[Dieseldave01]

Hey everyone I have quite a few Norway spruce trees that I have planted on my property over the last 4-5 years with hopes for some wind break and privacy some day. This spring I have noticed two have dead needles on the bottom branches, they were very heathy appearing trees last fall. They have been planted for 3-4 years. I hate to loose these, any idea what could be going on with them? What I can do to prevent further damage? Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ATH]

The 2 most common problems I have been seeing on spruce lately are Spruce Spider Mites and Rhizosphaera needle cast (and maybe some Stigmina which can he hard to distinguish between Rhizosphaera without a closer look). That looks more like the later from that pic just because the needles are darker. It could also very well be both...or something else. Look up close with a hand lens to see if there are tiny black dots on the backs of the needles. If so, likely Rhizosphaera.

Does a sprinkler hit the trees? if so, stop that.

Were they planted at the right depth? Was the wire cage and twine removed from the root ball?

Once all of that is set, fungicides can be used to prevent infections on new needles...but you can't cure already infested needles.

 

[Dieseldave01]

The 2 most common problems I have been seeing on spruce lately are Spruce Spider Mites and Rhizosphaera needle cast (and maybe some Stigmina which can he hard to distinguish between Rhizosphaera without a closer look). That looks more like the later from that pic just because the needles are darker. It could also very well be both...or something else. Look up close with a hand lens to see if there are tiny black dots on the backs of the needles. If so, likely Rhizosphaera.

Does a sprinkler hit the trees? if so, stop that.

Were they planted at the right depth? Was the wire cage and twine removed from the root ball?

Once all of that is set, fungicides can be used to prevent infections on new needles...but you can't cure already infested needles.

Yes on right depth, this one was planted with wire cage on still per some advice I got early on, all the trees I've planted since I've removed all the twine/wire. No sprinkler. Any particular fungicide ? Thanks for your response


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ATH]

First, make sure that is what you are actually dealing with. Here is an article about identification. If that is the case, Daconil is probably the easiest homeowner answer...

 

[Dieseldave01]

I'm not seeing any of the black spots on the needles so I'm thinking it may be something else causing the dead needles


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ATH]

Glad you looked before spraying!

As I mentioned, there is also a lot of spruce spider mite damage. Those aren't out yet. They are VERY tiny, so you need to look closely when they are.

There are plenty of other things causing browning needles...I'm just starting with the 2 most common.

A soil test can tell you if there is a nutrient problem.

 

[Jason Douglas]

I'm not seeing any of the black spots on the needles so I'm thinking it may be something else causing the dead needles


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Try incubating yourself in a zip lock bag with a damp paper towel. Put in the dark for a few days. Dont let any decay fungi that may grow fool you though.