Treatment for needle cast on spruce trees - Ask Extension
Is treatment with fungicide safe and effective?
Knowledgebase
Treatment for needle cast on spruce trees #881059
Asked August 11, 2024, 5:22 PM EDT
Is treatment with fungicide safe and effective?
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Rhizosphaera needle cast may be the culprit here - it is a common fungus that attacks spruce trees. However, other fungi result in symptoms very similar to Rhizosphaera, so before you use any fungicide, it's best to send a lab sample to the U of Mn Plant Disease Clinic (https://pdc.umn.edu/) to confirm that Rhizosphaera is responsible for the damage. For information on this fungus, including how to treat it, see
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/rhizosphaera-needle-cast
Properly-applied fungicides should be effective. Take caution when applying any insecticide or fungicide. . Protect yourself and make sure that no spray falls on you. This link talks about how to apply these products safely - http://npic.orst.edu/health/safeuse.html