Hello Stephanie,

First of all, Dwarf Alberta spruces (Picea glauca 'Conica') needs full sun. I think the north side of your house (especially since they're so close to it) means that they're not getting enough sunlight. As the growing season approaches the summer solstice each year, the sun will peek around the east and west corners of your house in the mornings and late afternoons. But those very long days are soon gone as will the few minutes of sunlight during those short weeks.

Additionally, it's difficult to tell if water is the problem by looking at your photos but newly planted trees and shrubs need close attention to the amount of water their roots get for the trees to get fully established in their new locations. Last summer was the worst of the recent drought years and if the trees weren't getting up to an inch of water per week until the ground froze (sometimes as late as December), they may not have grown enough roots nore gotten enough water to support the foliage through the winter. The needles will continue to transpire when thawed by the winter daytime temps but without the ability to push up water from frozen roots, they can easily dry out. We had a warmish winter but I'm sure most people didn't think they could water their evergreens (roots right at the surface of the soil could have taken up some water). What you're seeing maybe the dessication that results from lack of water.

I don't think there is much you can do to save your trees at this point. The rains we've been having this spring should have been sufficient to revive your trees if there was a chance but since the one is fully brown, it's dead, and the other may continue to brown up, I'd say to start looking for more suitable plants for that part of your garden.

Good-luck!