Hi Raymond,

Do you have some photos of the spruce trees and needles that you could share?  While some browning is normal this time of year, what you describe sounds perhaps a bit out of the ordinary and could be a symptom of disease.

Cordially,

John  

Attached are a few photos.

Thank you.  That yellowing/bleaching is typically associated with high stress situations or disease, rather than normal seasonal needle loss.

One of the most common diseases is cytospora canker, a fungal disorder that affects many types of trees that are stressed by other factors.  If it is cytospora, in addition to the yellowing needles, you will be able to observe sunken cankers on the branches, usually exuding grayish-white sap.  Do you see anything like that on the limbs of your tree?

I'm including a general information factsheet on the disease here as well.  https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/cytospora-canker-2-937/

There is no treatment for cytospora other than to try to mitigate any stresses that the tree is experiencing.  This typically means that watering is consistent and that the tree is not drought stressed.  I do not recommend fertilizing the tree, as this can actually worsen stress in the short term for a tree that is in trouble already.  I hope this helps!

Cordially,

John