Knowledgebase
I'm wondering if my evergreen might have a disease or need some vitamins? Two of my trees have died and are gone. They have been gone for at least two years. Now this one which was close to it as looking a little sad. I'm wondering if it needs something for bugs or some vitamins or what I can do to say that it's a beautiful old tree. I know a company wants to come and give it something for a disease and for vitamins but I don't know if this was the right thing to do? Should I trim back these dead branches or leave them? This is a very old tree. Should I treat the other two? #758321
Asked June 25, 2021, 9:00 AM EDT
I had seven pine trees. To have died a couple years ago. Now the one that is closest to them is starting to lose some branches. They are dying. Do you suggest that I treat them for disease or give them vitamins or anyting? What do you suggest?
Genesee County Michigan
Expert Response
Managing declining spruces can be challenging, and the causes can be difficult to diagnose just from photos. I do see loss of needles, but this is symptomatic of a number of things from disease to environmental stress. I cannot identify a specific disease/insect.
This article from the University of Illinois outlines some of the common problems with spruce, and provides some photos of things to look for in the tree canopy/on the trunk/the needles that can be serious clues to what may be affecting your trees: Spruce Problems
To bolster tree health, one of the best things to do is to water at the base of the tree(s) during periods of drought. If you have not had decent rain for 2 weeks, run a hose at the base of the tree(s) and saturate the first 6 to 8 inches of soil. I would focus on making sure the trees are watered rather than fertilizing them.
I recommend calling a consulting arborist to come out and take a look at the tree(s) in person. There are a few diseases that affect Norway spruce, but seeing the tree in person and submitting samples for lab diagnosis is sometimes the only way to actually know what is causing these symptoms. They may also be able to check the soil conditions and other environmental factors that may be causing this tree decline. If they are able to identify a disease, it can be an investment and require regular spraying. You can find a local consulting arborist at this site: Find an Arborist
