Hi, I don't claim to have any formal (college) education in the area of plants, but I do have some experience in that area, I have owned hundreds of plants including Spruce of all kinds. What-ever it is, it looks to me like you could have caught it in time. One of my first guesses would be a lack of water as well. I don't know how much you water, but the place they came from could've watered them once or twice a day, and they could just be balking at a possible lack of water now, (which could kill them). I have noticed browning on many of the conical evergreens that I've cared for and never had one die after I started looking after it (oddly enough, even when I didn't know right off what was wrong). Here are some of the causes of browning that come to mind for me: 1. Lack of water. I once had a job at a nursery where all I did was water their plants for 3 or 4 hours a day. 2. Transplant shock (temporary). 3. A pot-bound plant that has been ready to go in the ground for quite a while, when planting lightly slash the outer roots with a knife first, maybe 3 - 5 times. 4. Poor location, (not enough sun). 5. Spider Mites infestation, look for webs and very tiny spiders on inspection. 6. Complain to the seller, ask for a refund and if that threat don't work ask for tips to care for them. It could've been lack of care before you got them and/or when they dug them up for you they were hurried and care-less with not getting all the roots for example. Yeah, b&b or containerized can help rule out some scenarios. You may have spent lots of money for them, but its important not to get all nuts and flood them with all kinds of treatments. They ARE plants, nature should take care of them if their pointed at the sun and they get water. And remember, dead areas of a Spruce don't grow back, they can be cut out, if it recovers, it might fill in over time. p.s. These are some of the things that have worked for me. There could very well be something else at diabolical work on your Spruces. Heres kind of a progression of photos of a Leyland Cypress that I bought from Lowes a long time ago. It went from at my house (I set the pot in a kitty litter bucket to keep it from blowing over) where I didn't have anywhere to plant it, to my Mom's house where I planted it because browning was coming on, so I guessed it was outgrowing its pot, to the monster it is becoming today! I was glad that I found a home for it then, even if it is kinda considered a nuisance sterile weed by some, (my Mom loves it and thats all that matters). Well on its way to becoming a large Leyland Cypress. These last 2 photos are of a Dwarf Alberta Spruce (2 photos are of opposite angles) that I planted also at my Mom's house well over 3 years ago (after the above Leyland Cypress, but in the same yard). My Mom loves to water as you can see by the water hoses in today's photo. She waters her plants all the time and I'm sure the plants scream with glee. She hooked 2 or 3 hoses together to reach and water the Leyland Cypress (within a year after I planted it there it was growing like the national debt). That is my (then) 1 1/2 yr. old niece in the photo (she's 5 now).

Sea grape (Coccoloba uvifera) is quite resistant to salt. It naturalizes in colonies along the ocean. The "what to do" is to drag out the phone book, look up arborists in the yellow pages and ask several to come by and evaluate your situation. You should have done this yesterday as it sounds like a significant tree you do not want to lose. Sea grape is generally known to be disease resistant. However, there are reported problems such as anthracnose infecting them. This needs treatment. Get a professional opinion. Please post back when you have a diagnosis as this is an interesting situation.

A few days ago I was searching and came upon nice pics of a living room (and maybe other rooms). Decription: Sage walls, sage couches, white rug with tuscany red swirls or vice versa. Don't remember the tables. Are you out there? Can you post again? Thanks Buagirl

Thanks so much, allora, for the feedback! I have been dying to get feedback on this topic, because it seems like the lighting will be one of the most important design elements. Something classic, simple, but unique is fine with me. The lights that I am questioning are for the island in the center of the kitchen. The island is planned to be 2'x6'. There will also be recessed lighting in the kitchen. Any thoughts in direction are appreciated! I love the floral glass chandelier that I have planned for the breakfast room...but I'm so undecided how to make it work. If the pendants over the island can be a different finish or if I need to stick with something in the ivory/creme family like a mini-chandelier. Again, here's the inspiration piece my DH purchased from Anthropologie last fall. I have the 5 light version...the photo makes it look a touch darker than it is in person. My flowers are more translucent and not so much red and dark blue. I would take a pic, but it's carefully packed in a box, until it's installed in the hew house! When you say consult a lighting professional -- do you mean a lighting store salesperson? The problem I have seen so far, is that the local stores don't seem to have the vintage style lights (pulleys, schoolhouse, etc) that I have found in catalogs. I may be pushed into a different direction, depending on what they carry. I'm not sure if I was clear in my earlier post, but when I was considering the schoolhouse light fixture, I am looking at an ORB finish. The granite countertops that we are most likely going to do are Chocolate Brown in a Leather finish: Faucet will be ORB, with a black silgranite sink. Appliances in SS. I'm *considering* painting the walls a honey or rich, butter color. Backsplash will likely be creme subway tiles with gloss finish, and the decorative backsplash over the cooktop is still undecided. Cabinets will be painted a cream color, and probably lightly glazed. I received a Sundance catalog the other day, and 2 more pendants caught my eye. I love their simplicity! This copper pendant is awesome. However, that would be ANOTHER metal color in my kitchen, and I probably shouldn't introduce a 4th! These tungsten bulbs are soooo neat! Are there any downsides to these? I know they are kinda expensive, but if they last a decent amount of time, it could be worth it. There's also something like this at Lights Fantastic, which may coordinate well with the Breakfast room Glass Floral chandelier... This seems more towards the European direction...not sure it's all that Spanish...but I like it! Also from Lights Fantastic: It may seem like my thoughts are all over the board here. I'm more likely to choose dark colored light fixture finishes for other rooms, like the Dining Room and Butler's Pantry which are just off the kitchen as well. Thanks for reading this long post! I tried to place pics to make it more interesting, but it got a little rambly. :)