Colorado Blue Spruce - Ask Extension
I have a large Colorado Blue Spruce in my front yard. It is shaded on the west side by Ash trees and the branches on that side are losing needles. T...
Knowledgebase
Colorado Blue Spruce #111759
Asked January 08, 2013, 6:46 PM EST
I have a large Colorado Blue Spruce in my front yard. It is shaded on the west side by Ash trees and the branches on that side are losing needles. There is actually substantial needle loss throughout the tree. The roots are beginning to show too. My concern is that the root ball is becoming exposed and the tree will become unstable. It is directly in front of my house, and when winds blow from the west, I'm concerned that the tree could fall on our house. Do you recommend cutting the tree down, or does it sound healthy?
Jefferson County Colorado
Expert Response
The tree does not appear to be unhealthy based on the photos, but I suspect it could use some water. The root ball is not becoming exposed, rather the roots are adding girth as they enlarge, so eventually appear above the soil surface. Also tree roots grow where they can attain sufficient oxygen, so tree roots in our heavy clay soils tend to grow within the upper 6-12 inches of soil to begin with.
The needle loss you observe is due to shading, not only by the ash tree, but also from the spruce tree branches and needles.
In addition, the roots of the ash and spruce are competing with each other for nutrients and water. It is recommended to apply water to the roots of the spruce tree during warm spells in our dry fall and winter months. To water the roots of this tree adequately, that means setting out a sprinkler and watering the turf area. Tree roots are active and can absorb water when soil temperatures are at or above 40 degrees F.
You can contact an arborist (tree care professional) to make any further determinations about the tree's health.
Please see these fact sheets which provide information on fall and winter watering as well as the location of tree roots and how to keep them healthy.
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/02926.html (roots)
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07211.html (fall/winter watering)
The needle loss you observe is due to shading, not only by the ash tree, but also from the spruce tree branches and needles.
In addition, the roots of the ash and spruce are competing with each other for nutrients and water. It is recommended to apply water to the roots of the spruce tree during warm spells in our dry fall and winter months. To water the roots of this tree adequately, that means setting out a sprinkler and watering the turf area. Tree roots are active and can absorb water when soil temperatures are at or above 40 degrees F.
You can contact an arborist (tree care professional) to make any further determinations about the tree's health.
Please see these fact sheets which provide information on fall and winter watering as well as the location of tree roots and how to keep them healthy.
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/02926.html (roots)
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07211.html (fall/winter watering)
