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Alberta Spruce branches turning black #846368

Asked August 19, 2023, 10:52 AM EDT

I have a line of 10 alberta spruce trees.  The tree at the "end" of the line of trees branches starting turning black.  Now the next 3 alberta spruces are beginning to look the same way.  Can you tell me what is happening with these trees?  Much appreciated

El Paso County Colorado

Expert Response

Hello Ann:

                So sorry to hear about your creeping loss of Alberta Spruce plants.  In order to diagnose your plant problem, could you please send photos (a close up of the affected area, the soil around the plant and a few shots further away) and answer some of the following questions:

  1. When (what month or date) did you first notice the die back?
  2. Does it go black from the tips inward to the trunk or vice a versa?  How about does it brown from the top of the plant to the base or vice a versa?
  3. Are these watered on a regular irrigation system?
  4. Do any of your neighbors have this issue?
  5. What size are the Alberta Spruce and when were they planted (or just generally, how old are they)?
  6. When you took the photos, did you notice any insects, a sticky or slimy feel of the branches?

 

Thank you for the question and with more information, we hope to make suggestions for what you can do to hopefully save the rest of the Alberta Spruces.

 

Barbara V

Colorado Master Gardener

 

 

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From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Monday, August 21, 2023 11:33 AM
To: CSUmg2 <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Question assigned to you (#0116294)

 

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Hi El Paso County,

Question #0116294 has been assigned to you by CSU E.

Alberta Spruce branches turning black

I have a line of 10 alberta spruce trees.  The tree at the "end" of the line of trees branches starting turning black.  Now the next 3 alberta spruces are beginning to look the same way.  Can you tell me what is happening with these trees?  Much appreciated

From: Ann Spear
Submitted: 08/19/2023 10:52 AM


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An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 21, 2023, 4:26 PM EDT

Ann:

After reviewing your photos (I couldn't see them, at first), the brown spots look more like desiccated parts.  I notice you have no mulch on the spruces and a hose is nearby.  Do you hand water these Alberta spruces?  Is it possible that they are not getting enough water now that we have less rain?  

I would suggest gently probing about the drip line of the plant to see if the plant is dry and water when dry.  I would definitely mulch all the plants (or the entire bed) about 2-3 inches.  

Alberta Spruces like good loam soil and moist, acid conditions.  They may suffer from desiccation (brown spots) if not enough moisture and too much drying wind.  

Please let us know if watering and mulch help alleviate the browning.

Happy Gardening!

Barb V, Colorado Master Gardener

An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 21, 2023, 4:50 PM EDT
Good afternoon,
I have attached pictures as you have requested.  I don't believe that underwatering is an issue, as you can see the rest of the trees are watered the same, and are strong, healthy & unaffected.  
The white power you see around the base of the affected trees is Diatomaceous earth.  I was trying that in the hopes that perhaps aphids were the problem.  
I went on to apply the product I have sent a picture of, which claims to kill spider mites.  I only applied this yesterday, so I don't know if spider mites are the problem or how effective the product is.

Here are the answers to your questions:

Please let us know if watering and mulch help alleviate the browning.
No

When (what month or date) did you first notice the die back?
Early this Spring,  spider webs appeared on Alberta Spruce trees other than this one.  I sprayed those trees with Diatomaceous earth and the webs went away and did not return.  The trees that I am submitting pictures of NEVER had any spider webs on them.  They just began dying.

Does it go black from the tips inward to the trunk or vice a versa?  How about does it brown from the top of the plant to the base or vice a versa?   Is it watered on a regular irrigation system?    
The black goes from the inside of the tree to the outside.  
There is no irrigation system, only hand watering.

Do any of your neighbors have this issue?
No one else in my neighborhood has Alberta Spruce trees.

What size are the Alberta Spruce and when were they planted (or just generally, how old are they)?
I planted these trees when they were approximately 6" tall.  They are now over 3 feet tall

When you took the photos, did you notice any insects, a sticky or slimy feel of the branches?
I did not notice any insects, sticky or slimy feel of the branches.

Please note my observation.  Prior to this past weekend, I had a tall Hollyhock planted across my driveway.  This Hollyhock had considerable issues with holes in its leaves which were also browning.  I assumed aphids.  trimmed the dead leaves away, and applied the DEarth that I referenced earlier in this email.  The problem with the Hollyhock percisted. These 4 affected Alberta Spruce trees are located directly across from the infected (?) Hollyhock that I removed yesterday.  

No other trees in the line of trees have yet to show signs of infection or distress.

I appreciate your assistance,
Thank you,
Ann


On Mon, Aug 21, 2023 at 2:26 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied August 21, 2023, 7:32 PM EDT

Ann:

Albert Spruce are very susceptible to spider mites.  Spider mites will cause the loss of interior needles that you see in your photo's.  An easy way to determine if you do have spider mites is to take a white piece of paper out to the tree and hold it under one of the branches with the brown needles.  Thump the needles sharply and see what falls onto the sheet of paper.  If the tree has spider mites you should see black specks on the sheet that move. 

In most cases you will not see webs from spider mites.  Here is a link to a fact sheet on Spruce spider mites that will provide information on how to manage the spider mites. - https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/insects/mites/spruce-spider-mite 

The damage to your trees was not caused by the spray used on the Hollyhocks.  

If you have more questions please contact us again.

Happy Gardening

Priscilla H.

Colorado Master Gardener

An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 23, 2023, 4:19 PM EDT

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