Fat Albert Tree - Ask Extension
I had planted a Colorado Spruce but it turned brown from the bottom up and when the garden center came out they didn't know why it was dying so they p...
Knowledgebase
Fat Albert Tree #337608
Asked June 29, 2016, 7:21 AM EDT
I had planted a Colorado Spruce but it turned brown from the bottom up and when the garden center came out they didn't know why it was dying so they planted a new one called Fat Albert" and now this one is also doing the same thing. Any suggestions. After researching trees, I had chosen this type of tree because the soil condition was right and the location. I was very good about thethe wateringwatering also.
Lake County Illinois
Expert Response
There are two fungal diseases that spruce especially blue spruce are susceptible to. The first is Cytospora canker which starts on the lower branches and proceeds upward in the tree but doesn't usually attack trees under 15 years in age.
The second fungal disease is Rhizosphaera needle cast and again is a bottom up pattern of disease. The trees are most susceptible in warm, wet weather and when stressed (such as a newly planted tree). Is the tree planted close to a building or other plantings? Good air circulation is needed around the tree and sufficient water to keep it from being stressed. Copper based fungicides are used to treat Rhizosphaera needle cast. I would suggest that you contact a certified arborist in your community to inspect your tree and how it was planted also, to help you arrive at the best diagnosis of the problem and treatment solution. I also think it is always the best plant choice to choose a native for the region in which you are planting. There are Illinois native pines and Eastern red cedar is also found here. Examine the trunk and affected branches to look for canker. Rhizosphaera will not cause trunk or branch canker.
The second fungal disease is Rhizosphaera needle cast and again is a bottom up pattern of disease. The trees are most susceptible in warm, wet weather and when stressed (such as a newly planted tree). Is the tree planted close to a building or other plantings? Good air circulation is needed around the tree and sufficient water to keep it from being stressed. Copper based fungicides are used to treat Rhizosphaera needle cast. I would suggest that you contact a certified arborist in your community to inspect your tree and how it was planted also, to help you arrive at the best diagnosis of the problem and treatment solution. I also think it is always the best plant choice to choose a native for the region in which you are planting. There are Illinois native pines and Eastern red cedar is also found here. Examine the trunk and affected branches to look for canker. Rhizosphaera will not cause trunk or branch canker.
