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Newly planted B&B Blue Spruce Browning up!

17 years ago

A question to the experts!

I purchased three pine trees from a semi-nursery which was going out of business. I don't think the trees were well taken care of. However the price was right so I took the chance. Two of the Furs are doing OK, but the Blue spruce doesn't look so good.

My soil makeup is ~10-12" of topsoil which was very evident when I was planting and then a mixture of clay lower down. I dug the hole ~10" down and twice as big as the ball ~4' diameter circle. I took the wire off the ball, and cut the burlap in several places, but left it on the ball. I pulled the top back and put mulch around the drip line.

As you can see from some of the pics below the tree has lost many of it's needles and parts are a very dark brown. However I see some new growth, but it's not making sense. I don't know if the tree is just in shock from planting, or there is something else wrong. I'm thinking it didn't get much water at the nursery b/c of them going out of business. So, I'm watering almost every day or every other day if it doesn't rain. I'm worried about over watering but don't know how much is to much. I'm putting the hose on it for several hours on a trickle. Should I just let it go and keep watering or what would your suggestions be?

Thanks

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Comments (2)

Mike Larkin
17 years ago
It sounds like the damage started before you got the plants. There could have been periods in which the rootball dried out( which easily could have happened with B&B) Evergreens sometimes do not show drought damage or in this case neglect from lack of care until a few months after it happens. I would suggest that you continue to care as you have - water regular but allow to dry between watering. Too much water can also have a negative impact on evergreens. If you are not sure put you finger in the soil to test -
Eventually you can prune out the dead and hopfully the new growth that is appearing now will fill in.
It is best not to give any fertilizer this year. LOL
Mike
lfgarden
16 years ago
I'm having a similar problem with my newly planted blue spruce. Shortly after it was planted the tree's new growth began turning brown at the tips. The weather has been hot and dry here so I've been watering every few days with a slow trickle of water for an hour or so. I'm also uncertain if it needs more or less water. Should I follow the advice given above or is this a different problem?

Thanks!!
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