Knowledgebase

Spruce tree disease? #840662

Asked July 14, 2023, 12:47 PM EDT

Can you please tell me what type of disease or bug is killing these trees? We live by Huron Beach but not on the water.

Presque Isle County Michigan

Expert Response

I can't tell from the photos what's killing these trees. Many of Michigan's trees have been under considerable stress over the past couple of decades, from periods of drought, flooding, winter injury, insect pests and diseases. Often several stressors come together, significantly weakening a tree and allowing it to fall victim to insects or diseases that it would otherwise have tolerated. Many of the symptoms of environmental stress, insects and disease appear very similar, requiring lab analysis to determine the definitive cause of tree decline or death.

You can contact Michigan State University’s Plant and Pest Diagnostics for more information and to send samples for diagnosis.

You could consider getting a soil test, which would let you know the soil pH (acidic for pines) and whether there are any nutrients lacking: https://homesoiltest.msu.edu/.

To find a certified arborist to look at your trees: https://www.treesaregood.org/

Thank you for contacting Ask Extension! Replied July 25, 2023, 10:46 PM EDT
Thank you for your reply and suggestions  



Sent via the Samsung Galaxy Tab A, an AT&T 4G LTE tablet


-------- Original message --------
From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Date: 7/25/23 10:46 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: Dorothy Roth <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Spruce tree disease? (#0110588)

The Question Asker Replied July 26, 2023, 2:06 PM EDT

Loading ...