Tiny Sick Spruce Tree

LauraJane · Mar 24, 2012

View attachment 230625 I have a very small spruce tree that is dying from the inside out. It has its new buds, but I think it may not survive. Is there anything that can be done? I have not tried anything yet.

sgreanbeans · Mar 25, 2012

Could be many things, first thing I noticed is the moss on the ground. How much moisture is there. Is the ground wet enough to make a mud ball that stays together?

LauraJane · Mar 25, 2012

Yes, very much so. I was thinking back to last spring, which was unusually wet. Plus, I tend to be heavy-handed with the watering, which I just realized recently can be "too much of a good thing." Do you think it can be saved? I would have taken it out a long time ago, except a dear friend gave it to me.

Toddppm · Mar 25, 2012

Are there male dogs roaming the area?

LauraJane · Mar 25, 2012

Nope, no dogs around. I was looking online last night. Could it be needlcast?

Urban Forester · Mar 27, 2012

LauraJane said:
...Could it be needlcast?

Yes it could, and probably is. Although the red color is most often associated w/Rhabdocline which is a disease of fir, this coloration MAY be a result of an infection of Rhizosphaera on a very young tree. The needles showing infection(?) are the right "year", as this disease infects in the spring, but doesn't manifest itself until later in the season on mature needles. The best way to determine its presence is to pull some of the red needles and check for black lesions along the lenght of the needle. They will be perfectly round dots, lined up in two rows. You will need some sort of low power magnifying lens to see them. Treatment protocols are fairly basic (if you find the lesions). Treat with a fungicide (containing the active ingredient Chlorothalonil) 3 times @ 2 to 3 week intervals. Always follow label directions when applying pesticide, more is not better!!! Contact your local extension service for details on when to start. As the infection period is weather related and differs by zone. Good luck!

LauraJane · Mar 28, 2012

Many thanks, Urban Forester. I am pretty sure that I bought the right fungicide. Will apply tomorrow....if we miss the thunder storms they're calling for. You've been a great help.