Can my Spruce Trees be saved? - Ask Extension
I have a number of Blue or Norwegian spruce trees on my property and several have either died or appear sick with some sort of virus. The condition ap...
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Can my Spruce Trees be saved? #832773
Asked May 30, 2023, 3:59 PM EDT
I have a number of Blue or Norwegian spruce trees on my property and several have either died or appear sick with some sort of virus. The condition appears to start from the bottom up, begging at the tips of the branches and working its way inward. Please see the attached photos and advise if a spray or other remedy can be applied to mitigate and/or cure my beautiful trees.
Thank you,
Kevin Cullen
Chippewa County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
This appears to be a Norway Spruce; There are a number of things that can cause the interior needles to turn brown. This can be due to the weather and environment if the soil is too wet or dry, nutrition, insects, or diseases. Unfortunately, I can't zoom in enough on your images to tell if the browning is being caused by an insect or disease.
I recommend you get a confirmed diagnosis from the MSU Diagnostic Plant Lab.
Please email your digital images prior to bringing or sending physical samples. Images can be sent to <personal data hidden>.
MAKE SURE IN THAT E-MAIL YOU INCLUDE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER!!
Be prepared. The lab may ask for more images - THE LAB WILL LET YOU KNOW IF A SAMPLE NEEDS TO BE SENT - There is a $20-25 dollar fee (if they need a sample sent).
Lab email: <personal data hidden>
Lab phone:<personal data hidden>
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
PLEASE READ BELOW ON PREPARING YOUR SAMPLE (if the lab needs a sample)
From the lab: Please do not ship samples on Fridays. Due to the current COVID-19 circumstances, please allow additional processing time. They thank you for your patience and understanding.
Every sample must be accompanied by a completed submission form. Please place the form in a separate resealable bag to prevent it from getting damp or soiled. The form is at this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/uploads/files/General_Sample_Submission_Form_May2022.pdf
Complete details of submitting a sample are at this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/submit-samples/
ANOTHER OPTION: You could hire a certified arborist. They can tell you if the tree(s) are worth saving. Certified arborists have training in plant selection, care, and diseases/pests and have passed a certification test. They can do an onsite evaluation of the trees. These cost a little more but are minor compared to the value of this tree. I think it is about $70-$100 - To Find an Arborist by Zip Code, go to this link: https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/arboristsearch
I hope this helps!
Reference:
Here is a link to a publication on Spruce problems - Spruce Problems (Pest and Cultural Issues) - the University of Illinois at this link:
https://extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/plant_clinic_report_-_spruce.pdf
This appears to be a Norway Spruce; There are a number of things that can cause the interior needles to turn brown. This can be due to the weather and environment if the soil is too wet or dry, nutrition, insects, or diseases. Unfortunately, I can't zoom in enough on your images to tell if the browning is being caused by an insect or disease.
I recommend you get a confirmed diagnosis from the MSU Diagnostic Plant Lab.
Please email your digital images prior to bringing or sending physical samples. Images can be sent to <personal data hidden>.
MAKE SURE IN THAT E-MAIL YOU INCLUDE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER!!
Be prepared. The lab may ask for more images - THE LAB WILL LET YOU KNOW IF A SAMPLE NEEDS TO BE SENT - There is a $20-25 dollar fee (if they need a sample sent).
Lab email: <personal data hidden>
Lab phone:<personal data hidden>
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
PLEASE READ BELOW ON PREPARING YOUR SAMPLE (if the lab needs a sample)
From the lab: Please do not ship samples on Fridays. Due to the current COVID-19 circumstances, please allow additional processing time. They thank you for your patience and understanding.
Every sample must be accompanied by a completed submission form. Please place the form in a separate resealable bag to prevent it from getting damp or soiled. The form is at this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/uploads/files/General_Sample_Submission_Form_May2022.pdf
Complete details of submitting a sample are at this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/submit-samples/
ANOTHER OPTION: You could hire a certified arborist. They can tell you if the tree(s) are worth saving. Certified arborists have training in plant selection, care, and diseases/pests and have passed a certification test. They can do an onsite evaluation of the trees. These cost a little more but are minor compared to the value of this tree. I think it is about $70-$100 - To Find an Arborist by Zip Code, go to this link: https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/arboristsearch
I hope this helps!
Reference:
Here is a link to a publication on Spruce problems - Spruce Problems (Pest and Cultural Issues) - the University of Illinois at this link:
https://extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/plant_clinic_report_-_spruce.pdf
