Hi,

 I did test overall soil in the yard in 2023. I am having trouble uploading it, so I captured it below.  I treated my overall lawn (where these were planted ) this spring with northeast organics pro-start 2-3-3. I believe they used compost and pro gro fertilizer when they installed the trees (based on the invoice).

Amy

Nutrient

Soil pH (2:1, water) 6.0 6-7

Modified Morgan extractable, ppm

Phosphorus (P) 1.6 4-7

Potassium (K) 54 100-130

Calcium (Ca) 934 >1000 *

Magnesium (Mg) 72 50-100

Soil Organic Matter % 4.6 *

CEC, meq/100g 8.1 *

Value

Analysis Found

Typical Ranges

in VT (ppm)**

Iron (Fe) 16.5 2.4-10.6

Manganese (Mn) 3.2 2.1-9.3

Boron (B) 0.2 0.10-0.60

Copper (Cu) 0.2 0.16-0.30

Sulfur (S) 6.0 5-17

Zinc (Zn) 1.0 0.4-3.2

Sodium (Na) 10.0 6-21

Aluminum (Al) 152 8-107

** Ranges shown represent 90% of > 7000 recent soil test results. Micronutrient deficiencies are rare in VT when soil pH is in the optimal range. Al and Na

are not nutrients but are shown because at high levels they can cause plant toxicity.

* Ca content, organic matter %, and CEC are dependent on soil texture. They tend to be high in soils with a lot of clay and low in soils with a lot of sand.

Heavy Metal Value Found High

Copper (Cu) 0.2 more than 10

Zinc (Zn) 1.0 more than 80

Cadmium (Cd) 0.1 more than 2

Chromium (Cr) 0.1 more than 20

Nickel (Ni) 0.2 more than 20

Lead (Pb) 1.7 more than 41

* Values are mg/kg, or ppm. Results lower than the "high level" do not pose a concern for growing vegetables. For additional

also, we put lime down in fall of 2023. 

here are two more photos taken of the trees, on the dark side

Good Morning Amy,

Hopping in here to share some info from the Extension team.

Ann Hazelrigg, the state plant pathologist, shared this:
I would say at this point, some of the needle loss could be due to transplant stress and the trees just getting established and putting out new roots which is stressful. I would check to see there is good bud set a the ends of the branches and let us know.

We just got a nice one inch rain so the trees need no more water this week. If we get a drought before Nov, be sure they get watered weekly, deeply and not any more often. I would not be too concerned at this point, they look pretty healthy and vigorous. If they continue to see needledrop next year, they should send samples into the Clinic to see if there are any fungal issues. I think there was a good point made about the bark should be pulled away from the trunk. Soil testing looks fine.

And here's a great resource on proper staking to help your trees make it safely through the winter:  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/staking-and-guying-trees

Another colleague, Virginia Munkelwitz, also shared that fir trees have interior needles that die after several years. The oldest needles on the inside of the tree closest to the trunk are then cast off. The dead needles provide a valuable mulch. Needle loss in the fall is to be expected and is no reason for concern. If needles are dropping from the ends of the branches, this could be a serious problem. Fir trees produce new needles at the ends of the branches. Mulch keeps the fir trees healthier by preventing top evaporation of moisture and regulates the soil temperature so it warms and cools slowly. A depth of 3 inches is desired. Supplement the dead needles with woodchips mulch like to get the desired 3-inch depth. Needles that yellow and drop normally from age may have occasional spots and blemishes. Old needles sometimes show mottled brown coloration. Spots or blemishes on the current season's leaves or needles may be caused by insects or disease.

There are a few diseases of fir trees that cause the interior needles to fall off early. The following sites will help you diagnose why your interior needles are falling of early. https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/evergreen/fir/needlesinteriorgray.html
Hope this is helpful! Happy Gardening!

Good Morning Amy,

Hopping in here to share some info from the Extension team.

Ann Hazelrigg, the state plant pathologist, shared this:
I would say at this point, some of the needle loss could be due to transplant stress and the trees just getting established and putting out new roots which is stressful. I would check to see there is good bud set a the ends of the branches and let us know.

We just got a nice one inch rain so the trees need no more water this week. If we get a drought before Nov, be sure they get watered weekly, deeply and not any more often. I would not be too concerned at this point, they look pretty healthy and vigorous. If they continue to see needledrop next year, they should send samples into the Clinic to see if there are any fungal issues. I think there was a good point made about the bark should be pulled away from the trunk. Soil testing looks fine.

And here's a great resource on proper staking to help your trees make it safely through the winter:  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/staking-and-guying-trees

Another colleague, Virginia Munkelwitz, also shared that fir trees have interior needles that die after several years. The oldest needles on the inside of the tree closest to the trunk are then cast off. The dead needles provide a valuable mulch. Needle loss in the fall is to be expected and is no reason for concern. If needles are dropping from the ends of the branches, this could be a serious problem. Fir trees produce new needles at the ends of the branches. Mulch keeps the fir trees healthier by preventing top evaporation of moisture and regulates the soil temperature so it warms and cools slowly. A depth of 3 inches is desired. Supplement the dead needles with woodchips mulch like to get the desired 3-inch depth. Needles that yellow and drop normally from age may have occasional spots and blemishes. Old needles sometimes show mottled brown coloration. Spots or blemishes on the current season's leaves or needles may be caused by insects or disease.

There are a few diseases of fir trees that cause the interior needles to fall off early. The following sites will help you diagnose why your interior needles are falling of early. https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/evergreen/fir/needlesinteriorgray.html
Hope this is helpful! Happy Gardening!