Brown Needles on Blue and Black Hills Spruce - Ask Extension
Good morning, I noticed a few branches with brown needles on my Baby Blue Eyes and Black Hills Spruce both planted last fall. I cut off the branches. ...
Knowledgebase
Brown Needles on Blue and Black Hills Spruce #877592
Asked July 17, 2024, 10:51 AM EDT
Good morning, I noticed a few branches with brown needles on my Baby Blue Eyes and Black Hills Spruce both planted last fall. I cut off the branches. However, I would like to know the possible cause. Note: they were isolated to around the bottom of both trees.
Oakland County Michigan
Expert Response
Hi Sheree,
Those are beautiful trees!
It looks like the needles may be affected by our warm, humid and rainy weather, which can cause needles on the lower branches of spruce trees to turn brown and fall off. I'm not sure if this is the beginning of a needlecast infection, but it is likely caused by fungus.
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/rhizosphaera-needle-cast
You mentioned you cut off the bottom branches that were affected. This is a good first step as it will allow more air to flow through the branches and allow needles to dry more quickly after rain.
You may also consider creating a mulch ring around the tree, and removing the mulch piled up against the base of the trunk. Not only would this help airflow under the tree, it is healthier for the tree in the long term. Best practice is to keep mulch six inches mulch free ring around the base of the trunk, and no more than 2-3 inches thick.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/mulch_just_do_it
I hope this helps. Please feel free to reach out at any time with questions.
Thank you,
-Julie
Those are beautiful trees!
It looks like the needles may be affected by our warm, humid and rainy weather, which can cause needles on the lower branches of spruce trees to turn brown and fall off. I'm not sure if this is the beginning of a needlecast infection, but it is likely caused by fungus.
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/rhizosphaera-needle-cast
You mentioned you cut off the bottom branches that were affected. This is a good first step as it will allow more air to flow through the branches and allow needles to dry more quickly after rain.
You may also consider creating a mulch ring around the tree, and removing the mulch piled up against the base of the trunk. Not only would this help airflow under the tree, it is healthier for the tree in the long term. Best practice is to keep mulch six inches mulch free ring around the base of the trunk, and no more than 2-3 inches thick.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/mulch_just_do_it
I hope this helps. Please feel free to reach out at any time with questions.
Thank you,
-Julie
