Blue Spruce Issues - Ask Extension
We live in Medina, MN and have quite a bit of clay. A blue spruce was planted a few years ago, has already been changed out once. Every spring the n...
Knowledgebase
Blue Spruce Issues #777346
Asked November 08, 2021, 10:28 AM EST
We live in Medina, MN and have quite a bit of clay. A blue spruce was planted a few years ago, has already been changed out once. Every spring the needles tend to drop and it looks quite scraggily. It tends to bounce back but unsure of how to care for it over the winter. The one side facing north is hit with a lot of sun and probably salt from the nearby sidewalk. I wonder if it get's almost sun burned during the winter with reflections? We fertilize properly in the spring and fall. Should the tree be wrapped in burlap over the winter? Would love to insight has to how to better care for this tree.
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Hello Kelsey, happy to help.
Blue spruces do have a number of problems doing well here in Minnesota. They're more suited for mountainous climates like what is typical in Colorado. A couple of diseases that they're very susceptible to are Cytospora canker and Rhizosphaera needle cast but these usually show up in older blue spruces not that it hasn't happened already in your tree. Check out the two links on these diseases so you'll know what to look for.
Winter issues may be what's really causing the problem. Here is a link to information about winter injury that may be of help. I recommend paying close attention the to sections on snow, ice and salt; and winter injury to evergreens.
Making sure your evergreen tree is well hydrated before the ground freezes is very important. The needles will continue to transpire moisture in winter but when the roots are frozen, they cannot resupply the needles. This results in the needles browning and dying. This effect is often seen on the southern, southwestern, and windblown sides of the tree.
It's not too late to get your tree on a watering program before the ground freezes which can be as late as December. Today's rain and snow will help but in a week's time, water your tree if we haven't gotten another inch of water. I use a collapsible hose that I can empty and bring inside between sessions to avoid those ice plugs. Keep watering until the ground freezes.
There are other recommendations for protecting your tree in winter in the link I provided.
Good-luck!
Blue spruces do have a number of problems doing well here in Minnesota. They're more suited for mountainous climates like what is typical in Colorado. A couple of diseases that they're very susceptible to are Cytospora canker and Rhizosphaera needle cast but these usually show up in older blue spruces not that it hasn't happened already in your tree. Check out the two links on these diseases so you'll know what to look for.
Winter issues may be what's really causing the problem. Here is a link to information about winter injury that may be of help. I recommend paying close attention the to sections on snow, ice and salt; and winter injury to evergreens.
Making sure your evergreen tree is well hydrated before the ground freezes is very important. The needles will continue to transpire moisture in winter but when the roots are frozen, they cannot resupply the needles. This results in the needles browning and dying. This effect is often seen on the southern, southwestern, and windblown sides of the tree.
It's not too late to get your tree on a watering program before the ground freezes which can be as late as December. Today's rain and snow will help but in a week's time, water your tree if we haven't gotten another inch of water. I use a collapsible hose that I can empty and bring inside between sessions to avoid those ice plugs. Keep watering until the ground freezes.
There are other recommendations for protecting your tree in winter in the link I provided.
Good-luck!
