disease of evergreens - Ask Extension
Could you please help me identify the problem with my big giant spruces and how to treat them. See photos. The disease seems to be spreading. There ar...
Knowledgebase
disease of evergreens #431725
Asked October 17, 2017, 1:35 PM EDT
Could you please help me identify the problem with my big giant spruces and how to treat them. See photos. The disease seems to be spreading. There are no bag worms on the effected limbs. I am cutting out all of the diseased limbs. The trees are 7 years old and receive water from our well irrigation system.
Dare County North Carolina
Expert Response
Dear Sir or Madam,
Is the affected area only appearing around the base of the trees. How many of the total trees are showing symptoms? Since they are getting watered frequently I don't believe drought is an issue. How wet is the soil underneath the trees?
It is a bit difficult to tell from the pictures, but I believe the species you have is either an arborvitae or a leyland cypress, not a spruce. There is a disease that affects both arborvitae and leyland cypress called Cercospora Needle Blight. It is a fungus that causes progressive browning and loss of foliage beginning on low branches close to the main stem and continues until only the very top remains green. Does this sound similar to what you are experiencing? There are some management measures used to combat this fungus. Pruning like you are doing is a good option, however using a fungicide (labeled for ornamentals) is also recommended. It can be applied in the spring prior to the new needles emerging and help protect them from becoming infected. I can help develop a control plan for you if this sounds like what you are experiencing.
Thank you for contacting the NC Cooperative Extension and hopefully we can assist you in figuring out what is going on with your trees. Have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to speaking with you again soon.
Sincerely,
Sarah Watts
Is the affected area only appearing around the base of the trees. How many of the total trees are showing symptoms? Since they are getting watered frequently I don't believe drought is an issue. How wet is the soil underneath the trees?
It is a bit difficult to tell from the pictures, but I believe the species you have is either an arborvitae or a leyland cypress, not a spruce. There is a disease that affects both arborvitae and leyland cypress called Cercospora Needle Blight. It is a fungus that causes progressive browning and loss of foliage beginning on low branches close to the main stem and continues until only the very top remains green. Does this sound similar to what you are experiencing? There are some management measures used to combat this fungus. Pruning like you are doing is a good option, however using a fungicide (labeled for ornamentals) is also recommended. It can be applied in the spring prior to the new needles emerging and help protect them from becoming infected. I can help develop a control plan for you if this sounds like what you are experiencing.
Thank you for contacting the NC Cooperative Extension and hopefully we can assist you in figuring out what is going on with your trees. Have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to speaking with you again soon.
Sincerely,
Sarah Watts
