Why are the needles falling off my blue spruce?

Why are the needles falling off my blue spruce?

Fungal Diseases Spruce and pine trees can be prone to several fungal infections that can lead to needle discoloration and early drop. One of these fungal infections is known as cytospora canker, which primarily affects Colorado blue spruces.

Why is my blue spruce drooping?

It’s normal for new shoots on spruces to droop like that – nothing to worry about.

How do you revive a dying blue spruce?

The following will help you manage needlecast:

1. Prune away dead branches, twigs, and infected areas of the tree.
2. Remove fallen foliage and destroy it (burn it).
3. Apply a fungicide to the tree after removing signs of the infection.
4. Deep water the tree once per week to help it recover from the stress.

What causes needle drop on spruce trees?

The two most common needlecasts we find in spruce are caused by the fungal pathogens Rhizosphaera and Stigmina/Mycosphaerella. 2. Tip blights. Tip blights are fungal diseases that typically cause dieback to new, emerging shoots (Photo 4).

How can you tell if a blue spruce is dying?

Here’s what to look out for:

1. Needles Turn Yellow or Brown and Drop Off. It’s easy to tell whether your blue spruce trees are healthy or not.
2. Drying and Dying of Lower Branches. When you see lower branches of a blue spruce drying and dying, you should expect the worst.
3. Dying of New and Emerging Shoots.

How do you treat a needle drop?

Needlecast diseases can be treated with fungicide applications, but you should consult with a certified arborist to determine if treatment is warranted. Unfortunately, if the issue is root-related, there often is no reasonable treatment. TIP: DON’T WORRY IF YOUR WHITE PINES ARE YELLOW.

What kills needle cast?

Fungicides with the active ingredient chlorothalonil, copper hydroxide or mancozeb will protect new spruce needles from infection by Rhizosphaera. Make one application in spring or early summer when the new needles have grown to half their mature length.

Why are the needles falling off my evergreen?

What else can cause needles to fall? Browning or wilting foliage (and subsequent foliage or needle drop) on both deciduous and evergreen tree species can be caused by excessive heat, drought, and water stress. You may find this stress-caused damage throughout the tree but it’s usually found at branch tips.

What causes needle cast?

Rhizosphaera needle cast is caused by the fungus Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii. The fungus survives winter on living and recently killed needles. In spring through early autumn, spores spread to new needles within the tree or in neighboring trees via splashing water.

How do I stop my blue spruce from needle casting?

Needle cast diseases can be effectively controlled with fungicides containing chlorothalonil. For Rhizosphaera needle cast, two properly-timed applications per year for at least two consecutive years, and sometimes three years, is required for control.

What makes blue spruce loose needles and turn brown?

Diseases. Cytospora canker is caused by the fungus Cytospora kunzei,which may enter the tree through wounds or branch stubs.

Symptoms and Damage. Blue spruces that are infected with Cytospora canker generally have some branch dieback,which often starts on the lower branches of the tree.

Control.

Prevention.

What causes a blue spruce to die?

Related Articles. Older trees are more prone to the fungus, though extreme heat, dehydration and freezing can also trigger an onset. Severely diseased blue spruces develop dead tissue cankers on their trunks as the infection moves from the outer branches to the middle of the tree.

Do blue spruce shed needles?

Caused by Rhizoshpaera fungus, needle cast is a disease that causes an inordinate amount of needles to shed from the blue spruce. This needle shedding can happen even during the growing season and can damage a developing plant. Signs of needle cast include needle shedding and black spots on the needles of the blue spruce.

Do blue spruce trees lose their needles?

A lack of moisture is the chief suspect when the blue spruce tree begins losing its needles. The first symptom of water stress is the browning of the needles followed by their dropping to the ground. In addition to summer drought, a succession of three dry winters will damage the needles.