Knowledgebase

spruce tree #879283

Asked July 29, 2024, 3:29 PM EDT

I recently bought a new home in a new development where the builder planted trees bordering my home and HWY 5 had dead spruce trees. I assumed the cause was they were not properly cared after newly planted. I removed and replaced those dead trees with Colorado spruces last fall and the 3 trees planted in the same location have died. My research suggests there is some soil issues which need fumigation before I try this again. Can I get someone to look at this and determine the correct solution?

Dakota County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hi Raymond,

We are volunteers and do not make house calls, I am sorry.

FYI, Colorado spruce has many issues when grown in Minnesota. They are prone to disease and tend to be short-lived. A better replacement for this climate that looks similar would be concolor fir:

https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/concolor-fir-abies-concolor/

Before you do any more planting, it would be a good idea to get a soil test. You can submit samples to the University of Minnesota Soil Testing Lab for analysis:

https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/

If the dead trees are still in place, you may want to consult a certified arborist who could look at the site and the trees and give an opinion on what the problem might be. You can find one here:

https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist

I hope this helps. Good luck.

MJ Replied July 29, 2024, 10:16 PM EDT

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