Spruce fungal disease - Ask Extension
Many of the spruce trees in my neighborhood appear to have fungal diseases. Lots of branches have lost their needles and the trees just don’t look t...
Knowledgebase
Spruce fungal disease #924832
Asked February 20, 2026, 10:29 AM EST
Many of the spruce trees in my neighborhood appear to have fungal diseases. Lots of branches have lost their needles and the trees just don’t look to be in good shape. They’re primarily Norway spruce and blue spruce. If I plant a weeping white spruce will my tree see a similar fate?
Isabella County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello Christina!
If your neighborhood spruces are in fact affected by the Rhizosphaera needle cast disease, then yes, your new white spruce will also be susceptible, as it will be to the emerging Stigmina needle cast fungus. That said, we can't know for sure what is ailing the spruces in your neighborhood without photos, or, better yet, lab test.
You can read more on spruce needle cast fungi here: https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/rhizosphaera-needle-cast and here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/blue_spruce_needle_cast_disease
