I've owned my house for five years, and this tree is my pride and joy. I've been told it is at least 50 years old, and it is as tall as my house.
In August, I noticed that three or four branches on the tree looked like they were dying. The needles were completely yellow and dead, and it seemed that there was a layer of dead needles caught in the branches, thicker than a normal drop. This is happening in the lower half of the tree. I can't see any dying branches in the top half.
I don't think this is the blue spruce blight that I have read about, since the needles are not purple, but yellow. Could this be due to the drought we had this summer? I didn't water the tree because I was told that spruce were drought tolerant.
I did trim the very bottom row of branches off the tree two years ago, so that my dog could have a cool place to lay under the tree during the summer. I hope this didn't hurt the tree in some way.
I wish I had a better picture, but you can see half of "my baby" in the picture, to the right. Can anyone assure me that my spruce will be OK, or should I call the tree doctor?
Is my Colorado Spruce sick?
You didn't do any harm by pruning, except perhaps to change the shape adversely. Could be spider mites, bagworms, a needle fungus (which often strikes the lower limbs first due to higher humidity there), root disturbance, an underground gas line leak, the drought (if it was as bad there as it was here), or something else. Since this is your prize tree, I'd have your extension agent or certified arborist take a peek at it. By the time a spruce shows symptoms, the problem may be fairly far advanced.
Good luck with it --
Guy S.
From your description I would suspect cytospora canker.
Al
See what you think.
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/3000/3033.html
I wasn't sure it was the canker, because there were no needles turning purplish-brown. Not that I noticed, anyway. And all of this seems to have started in August, rather than spring.
I'll probably take your advice, Guy, and contact an arborist.
Post a Reply to this Thread
More Trees, Shrubs and Conifers Threads
-
I believe my Pine Tree is dying
started by Jaguar18
last post by Jaguar18Oct 04, 20233Oct 04, 2023 -
Apple tree fungus/disease
started by Maxwell175
last post by Maxwell175Mar 25, 20241Mar 25, 2024 -
I have a tree that has badly deteriorated bark
started by BigRich1950
last post by BigRich1950Apr 24, 20241Apr 24, 2024 -
American Yellowwood - Perkins Pink toxic?
started by KayCisko
last post by KayCiskoMay 08, 20240May 08, 2024 -
Planting Trees - Complimentary tree?
started by KayCisko
last post by KayCiskoMay 09, 20240May 09, 2024