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Dwarf Alberta Spruce problems

17 years ago

I planted two Alberta Spruce trees about a month ago. Shortly after that I started a new job and hadn't much time for gardening and the first two weeks they were in the ground, everything looked fine. Since the beginning of May it's been really dry with little or no rain to speak of and I hadn't given supplemental water.

I know... bad gardener. BAD gardener.

Tonight after work I drug the hoses out and whent about watering everything and noticed the Spruce trees where really dry. Both had a little browning on the interior and I noticed a little bit of needles had dropped, which lead me to run my fingers over the dry needles which easily came off in my hand.

Question is... are they a gonner? It rained pretty heavily last night and I gave them a good shot of water with the hose, I'm just wondering if I'll end up replacing them and if so, I'm assuming I ahould wait til fall at this point, right?

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Comments (3)

Embothrium
17 years ago
Any aphids? Those suck the needles of this (and other spruces) and make the insides go bare. Don't know if it is too early for these there or not.
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roadtrip
Original Author
17 years ago
No, no insects. I know it was my own fault and lack of proper water. It dried out from two weeks with about 1/4" of rain, so my only question now is what chance that the trees will rebound from something like this, or do I plan on their replacement.

Rained well last night... IF they do rebound, how soon might I see it happening?
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well of course brandon.. but there has been no discussion as to what the roots look like in his pot.. and i want him to look.. before he throws it away ... if he has a roof full of potted plants ... and this is the only one that has this problem.. my gut suggests its a media/potting issue... not a watering issue ... heck.. if i had 100 pots .. and they all could go 3 days between waterings.. and one needs it every day ... i would simply get rid of that one.. as being a PITA .... i mean really.. stuff happens.. and sometimes you cant be there everyday to care for one foo foo plant ... the issue is determining WHY .. and then going from there ... regardless.. on my 5 acres.. i can have an ugly project tree.. to see if it cant rescue itself... but in these circs.. time to start over ... ken
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Where I live in SW Montana, we recommend planting Dw Alberta's where they get protection from winter sun and wind. They will usually survive a more exposed location but will suffer winter burn for a few seasons until well established. Severe winter burn can severely disfigure the bush. Wrapping with burlap for the winter can help lessen that if you want to try and make a go of it. As the brown needles get "crisp" you can brush them off and wait to see how much comes back over the summer, or replace now but maybe use something more sun and wind tolerant in winter like an upright juniper (which yes, will grow larger that the DAS).
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richardyc
17 years ago
you are not the only, I see a lot of brown Alberta spruces around my area, a lot of browning was from winterburn, including the 2 Alberta spruces I have. there really isn't anything you can do other than keep watering them and hope you brought them from a place that has some guarantee on the trees, most places give 1-2yrs guarantee, just keep your receipt.
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