Spruce trees are all dyeing. - Ask Extension
My some of my spruce trees are dying is this treatable? Others which seem a little different species seem healthy. I've attached a picture of each.
Knowledgebase
Spruce trees are all dyeing. #872190
Asked June 08, 2024, 1:43 PM EDT
My some of my spruce trees are dying is this treatable? Others which seem a little different species seem healthy. I've attached a picture of each.
Mason County Michigan
Expert Response
Hi Jeff, Thank you for the pictures. Your "healthy" tree appears to be a Norway spruce. I cannot tell from your picture what the other tree is. You stated that it seems to be a different variety. It would be helpful if you could give me a little more information about the trees.
Are you sure it's a spruce rather than a pine or fir? These trees appear to be in a wooded setting rather than a landscape...is that correct? How long has this tree been declining? Are there other trees that look like the declining tree in the area? How far apart are the two trees you pictured? Have you examined the failing tree for signs of insects or disease (webbing, insect frass, oozing sap, etc.)? Are they watered other than by rain? Have you ever fertilized them?
If you could send a picture of the entire area where these trees are planted it would be helpful. Thank you for this additional information.
Are you sure it's a spruce rather than a pine or fir? These trees appear to be in a wooded setting rather than a landscape...is that correct? How long has this tree been declining? Are there other trees that look like the declining tree in the area? How far apart are the two trees you pictured? Have you examined the failing tree for signs of insects or disease (webbing, insect frass, oozing sap, etc.)? Are they watered other than by rain? Have you ever fertilized them?
If you could send a picture of the entire area where these trees are planted it would be helpful. Thank you for this additional information.
Thanks for the quick response! I'll attach to this email a close up image of a branch from one of the trees that are diseased. I think they are all blue spruce but not completely sure. I have about 2 acres of woods and almost all of the same species of tree are diseased. I bought the property last January so it's difficult to estimate how long they have been declining but I would have to say at least a couple of years since many are completely dead. From what I've read on the internet, it's probably a fungus called cytospora canker.
It looks as though there's not much I can do to save them but if it is the fungus, is there any chance it will spread to trees of a different species? I have many white pines and several norway spruce I'd like to keep healthy.
Thanks and have a great weekend!
Jeff Theisen
<personal data hidden>
I cannot be sure, but your picture of needles appear more like Douglas fir needles than blue spruce. However, the fact that the trees are in decline could cause them to look different than healthy needles. There are three difference needle cast diseases of conifers.
Rhabdocline needle cast affects Douglas fir only. If that's your culprit, it will not affect any spruce or pine nearby.
https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/rhabdocline-needle-cast
Rhizosphaera needle cast has a wider host range. Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens), white spruce (P. glauca) and Oriental spruce (P. orientalis) are the most severely affected, while Norway spruce (P. abies) and red spruce (P. rubens) are more resistant to the disease. However, when stressed by drought, many spruce species become susceptible. True fir (Abies), especially white fir (A. concolor), can suffer severe damage as well. Additional hosts in New England include pine (Pinus), hemlock (Tsuga), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga), and true cedar (Cedrus) but these infections rarely result in serious injury.
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/rhizosphaera-needle-cast
Swiss needle cast targets Douglas-fir. https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/swiss-needle-cast/
Generally the window for treating these fungal diseases is early May. Because you have about two acres of declining trees, the best thing to do at this point for diagnosing and treating your trees is to consult a certified arborist. An arborist is a certified and generally insured expert in trees and their problems. He or she can examine your trees and make recommendations regarding the health of the tree, any needed judicial pruning, and whether or not (in his opinion) they should be removed. Hiring a certified arborist will ensure that you are getting a knowledgeable and qualified tree specialist. You can find a certified arborist in your area here:
http://www.treesaregood.org/
Click on "Find an Arborist" at the top of the page; then click on United States from the pull-down menu. Then enter your State and City. This should bring up a list of certified arborists nearest to you. Or you may be able to locate one under "Tree Services" in your local Yellow Pages.
Your trees are your property. If they are not valuable to you, you certainly do not need to follow some extensive spray program even if recommended by an arborist. It is extremely difficult to completely spray tall trees. It is possible that your trees are also declining due to age-related stress. Good luck.
Rhabdocline needle cast affects Douglas fir only. If that's your culprit, it will not affect any spruce or pine nearby.
https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/rhabdocline-needle-cast
Rhizosphaera needle cast has a wider host range. Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens), white spruce (P. glauca) and Oriental spruce (P. orientalis) are the most severely affected, while Norway spruce (P. abies) and red spruce (P. rubens) are more resistant to the disease. However, when stressed by drought, many spruce species become susceptible. True fir (Abies), especially white fir (A. concolor), can suffer severe damage as well. Additional hosts in New England include pine (Pinus), hemlock (Tsuga), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga), and true cedar (Cedrus) but these infections rarely result in serious injury.
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/rhizosphaera-needle-cast
Swiss needle cast targets Douglas-fir. https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/swiss-needle-cast/
Generally the window for treating these fungal diseases is early May. Because you have about two acres of declining trees, the best thing to do at this point for diagnosing and treating your trees is to consult a certified arborist. An arborist is a certified and generally insured expert in trees and their problems. He or she can examine your trees and make recommendations regarding the health of the tree, any needed judicial pruning, and whether or not (in his opinion) they should be removed. Hiring a certified arborist will ensure that you are getting a knowledgeable and qualified tree specialist. You can find a certified arborist in your area here:
http://www.treesaregood.org/
Click on "Find an Arborist" at the top of the page; then click on United States from the pull-down menu. Then enter your State and City. This should bring up a list of certified arborists nearest to you. Or you may be able to locate one under "Tree Services" in your local Yellow Pages.
Your trees are your property. If they are not valuable to you, you certainly do not need to follow some extensive spray program even if recommended by an arborist. It is extremely difficult to completely spray tall trees. It is possible that your trees are also declining due to age-related stress. Good luck.
