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Is my tree dying?

last year

Im worried about my tree. When I test the soil, it is watered enough, either “wet” on the meter, or it is ”damp”. Could it have too much water and should i check the roots? What should I do right away to save it? Please help! (some type of Blue Spruce)

Comments (12)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
Where are you located? If much removed from its native range, Picea pungens is highly prone to a number of pest and disease issues that can seriously affect appearance and tree health. Not very tolerant to high heat or humidity and prefers cold winters to thrive.

Be careful of overwatering. Newly planted trees need regular periodic deep watering their first year but then back off unless extended dry periods.
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
last year
When was it planted? Water meters are notoriously inaccurate. You need to dig a small hole 4-6 inches into the root ball and feel how moist it is.

tj
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is my tree dying or diseased?
Q
Comments (6)
To all tree peeps-- I'm about to not just speak for myself, but for others with the same predicament: Sometimes, anxiety/frustration/always being in a hurry easily comes accross as rudeness. I'm guilty of this, it's a shortcoming, I suppose. I try to stand up always for the little man. I'm not into bullies/false prophets/people who use their position to get others to "obey". People that know me and who I speak with in person regularly, know that I have a very good heart; they know I have integrity, and can be trusted with their life. I have a very dry sense of humor, also, that works very well in person. People that don't know me, for example friends of friends on facebook, are sometimes, initially, taken aback, by a "just the facts, ma'am" attitude, combined with an ironic/sardonic/devil-may-care humor. (This might be due to being a scientist/geek, or I got it from my beloved German mother, for whom I admire a great deal. She escaped East Germany in the early sixties, with my brother, and had to stand up to the Stazi when caught on the way out-- I love you, Mom). I try to be humorous to allay a tendency in the written form to be too blunt. Forgiveness is divine, and I am much less sensitive to people being blunt with me, in person or in writing, because I simply am not into "hypocrisy". So, sometimes you got to give people a break, particularly when they're not full of it/sloppy with the facts or passionate/simply upset and in need of help. To the OP- Yes, the tree has disease/pest problems. The challenging part is to find out the cause. Disease is almost always caused by some environmental factor, so call an ISA-certified arborist and be done with it. M P.S.- Thankyou all for letting me state my "strong opinion". You gotta know that us full-blooded Krauts simply can't help ourselves, sometimes. Understanding and keeping a loving attitude even with those who we may perceive as our "enemies", goes a long way towards serenity in life. That's what I believe, anyways.
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Why is my tree dying? pictures attached
Q
Comments (3)
"Very simply, the tree in the picture is planted too deeply." I REALLY doubt the problem has anything to do with being planted too deeply. It's possible, but so is "Reason Number 67: Your neighbor put a curse on the tree". This off-the-cuff diagnosis is certainly not backed up by ANY pertinent facts. One possibility, though only one of many, is Botryosphaeria canker. This problem has been reported in your area and symptoms look similar to what I can see in the pictures you've provided. I would contact your local extension office and they should be very familiar with the issue! More information / better pictures / first hand inspection may be necessary for proper diagnosis.
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Is my tree dying?
Q
Comments (5)
To answer a few comments and add specifics: I am not sure if it is too deep. I know the root ball was left exposed at the top with a shallow trench dug around it when planted. We added the mulch later. The tree was only $100 or so. Not a big deal and wasn't worth the huge water use fine that would cost way more than that to replace it. We are financially able to replace the tree without it being a burden. I was just curious if I can do anything to help the tree at this point. I would prefer no tree in my yard but it is required by our HOA. The bark is not peeling on the other side of the trunk. I have not considered seeking a replacement bc I was given specific instructions on how to care for the tree and did not follow those directions due to the drought. This is not the sellers fault. I take full responsibility and am not interested in pursuing that option. Like I said, the cost of the tree is not a big deal to us. Just looking for advice on what I could be doing to help care for the tree at this point. I live in Alabama. The drought lasted 61 days and occurred last fall from Sept to Nov (longest on record). We usually get plenty of rain here and the summers get very hot. Cool weather doesn't begin until late November (which in this case is around the time the drought ended) Thank you for all the comments so far!
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Is my tree dying?
Q
Comments (9)
Thank you all for your reply and advise. I don't think I would remove it since it give shade to the pool and it one of the tallest trees in my neighborhood. I do have palm tree, like 12 feet away, that died last March, it lost all the leaves and just died. I don't know what happened, I was overseas, and dis come back until August. think it got strock by lightning, because I could see a line on the side. It was very old since it is super tall. I haven't removed it, probably should, right now it's just a home for 8 wood peckers. (Pictures when it died) I think my tree it's an evergreen... I don't know if it is a Simarouba glauca as suggested, since I haven't seen any flowers or fruits. I will definitely post on identify my tree with extra pictures and update Thanks!
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L Clark (zone 4 WY)
last year
It’s tough to water one of these too much.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
^^^^ Very possible, if the soil is not already fast draining.
cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
last year
"It’s tough to water one of these too much."

Maybe in Wyoming where they belong, but growing these successfully long term east of the Mississippi can be a bit different.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
last year
hey!!!! .. junkie quoting me without attribution.. lol ... im honored..

the lower damage looks like male dog issues.. any around ..

this tree is planted about 15 feet too close to that fence.. do you have a long range plan how to deal with that ...

we need big city name to help you.. and while you are tooling around town.. try to see how many others in your area are looking damaged.. in my MI .. about 50% of picea pungens are showing this type of damage.. and it isnt worth treating most of them.. since they are over 20 feet tall ...

ken
L Clark (zone 4 WY)
last year
unless it is is standing water often I highly doubt it is getting too much water.
functionthenlook
last year
I don't know where you live , but I'm in western PA, the mature blue spruces are dying from disease. We lost ours also our next door neighbor lost theirs. The neighbor on the other side blue spruces are almost dead. I guess he is just going to leave the dead trees in his yard.
tete_a_tete
last year
Good thinking, Ken. I hadn't thought of the possibility of a wandering male dog.
charles kidder
last year
Around here they get a white fungus on the stems. It causes the kinds of symptoms you're seeing. Eventually kills the tree.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
The white "fungus" is more likely to be spruce adelgids, Or lichen. Needlecast is the most likely suspect for Picea pugens decline and that is climate related.
charles kidder
last year
It's Leucostoma kunzei. It shows up as white patches on the stems. Every one near me seems to have it to some degree.

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