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Blue Spruce dropping needles

16 years ago

My blue spruce is dropping needles in an isolated spot about half way up the tree - about 5' off the ground. The needles turn brown and then drop off the branch. Any clue as to what could be causing this and how to stop it? I've read about the fungal diseases that could cause needle shedding, but they seem to start at the base of the tree and work their way up - not what I have.

Thanks!

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Comments (4)

conifers
16 years ago
If it were me and I didn't know what to do, I'd simply buy a combination fungaecide/insecticide and spray as directed early in the mornings or late in the evenings when the weather has cooled.

If things don't get better, you might be dealing with a root malfunction. It is possible a girdled-root has choked the chain of flow to that first branch that's showing distress. It's also possible and insect is feeding below. Again, I'd start with the combo.

Just don't use horticultural oil types as these will damage blue spruces.

Dax
spruceman
16 years ago
Well, I don't know much about diseases of blue spruce, but when I see a branch that seems to be dying on any tree I look to the place where the branch joins the trunk and see if there is some kind of canker or some other sign of diesase that may be getting into the trunk of the tree. If not, I cut the branch off before that can happen and dispose of it so the infection can't spread. I also examine adjacent branches for additional points of infection. I do this specifically with cytospora canker on Norway spruce, and white pine blister rust on white pine.

If it looks like the infection has gotten into the trunk of the tree, then you should do what you can to identify the disease--take a sample to the ag extension office or forest service, and then see what can be done.

If what you have is a general patch of foliage where there is needle loss, then you have to find out the cause and perhaps some spray can help.

But I am talking about my expereince with these kinds of problems in general. Here where I am in Winchester, VA I have not had to learn about diseases of blue spruce because I have not observed any.

--Spruce
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I believe what previous posts may be alluding to is that the accumulation of dead needles may be excessive for just the natural shedding of old foliage and that some sort of insect or disease issue may be the reason behind the accumulation. While the tree may appear to be healthy, a detailed examination of the needles and the tree overall could reveal problems. FWIW, Picea pungens do exhibit or can develop any number of issues if grown in climates or conditions not precisely to their liking. The topic certainly comes up rather frequently on this and other forums. It would be helpful to see a photo of the entire tree. And do examine some of the needles using a magnifier. Both insect problems or fungal issues (needlecasts) should become obvious under a close inspection.
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Yup-insignificant. What I'd like to comment on though is the dumb-in my opinion anyway-way in which this Norway spruce and right around ten million others just like it have been sheared to what.......make it look more like a spruce tree? Such nonsense continues in the nursery industry. Arguably, the coolest thing about Norway spruce is the branch arrangement, with the big upswept branches and the pendant branchlets hanging down. Awesome structural quality, utterly ruined by this dumb treatment. Nothing on you though svt, and the good news is it will grow out of that fairly rapidly.
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azr2d
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the input! I did a close-up inspection of the tree yesterday and what did I find? Bagworms! Everywhere! After trolling the web to identify what the insects were I read that manual removal is preferable. Unfortunatley they are all over the de-needled area I originally noticed as well as another "hot - zone" on the back side of the tree about 15 ft up. What would you recommend to get rid of these insects? Is it something I can tackle myself (novice gardener in a new to me old house) or should I call a professional?
Thanks again!
spruceman
16 years ago
If you can find a way to pick them off, that may be best. Maybe a pole pruner could reach up high enough. You will have to to do this every year for a while. You could spray, but I don't know how to do that.

--Spruce

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