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Norway spruce - needles turning brown. #727548

Asked September 28, 2020, 4:07 PM EDT

Hello, I have a row of five 30 year old Norway Spruce, approx 50 ft tall. The 2 southernmost trees are getting brown needles. The other 3 do not have this issue. Some of the needles have a dark and light striped pattern (see picture). Is this a fungal disease? What should I do to save these trees? Also, do I need to do anything with the 3 trees that look okay? Pictures attached. Thank you,

Oakland County Michigan

Expert Response

It appears that your trees have Needlecast disease. As the name implies, trees with needlecast diseases shed needles. Needlecast fungi often infect needles on the current year’s shoots. As the disease progresses, the needles die, usually the year following the infection. As a result, trees affected by needlecasts often have an outer “shell” of live needles on current shoots and dead needles on older shoots. The two most common needlecasts we find in spruce are caused by the fungal pathogens Rhizosphaera and Stigmina/Mycosphaerella.
Apply a fungicide when new shoots are 1½ inches long and again 3 weeks later to protect young needles from infections that occur in May through June. For best control, apply the fungicide 3 consecutive years.
I recommend that you contact a certified arborist to determine a spray program for the trees that are affected as well as the trees without symptoms. You can find an arborist by zip code at the attached link.  www.treesaregood.org

An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 30, 2020, 9:10 AM EDT
Thank you for the quick response! I am heartbroken my trees have this disease and will be contacting an arborist.
The Question Asker Replied October 01, 2020, 10:25 AM EDT
With correctly timed sprays, your certified arborist can get this under control. He/ she may also suggest some other control options, such as pruning and  correct watering techniques. 

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