Knowledgebase
Colorado Blue Spruce problem #855132
Asked November 11, 2023, 6:08 PM EST
Why is my Colorado Blue Spruce tree needles turning brown and dropping off primarily on the South side of the tree?
Jefferson County Colorado
Expert Response
This is great picture of the damage you're seeing. Could you send additional pictures of:
- If possible, the entire tree on that side, capturing the top and the ground beneath the tree where it is planted. We're looking for the general lay of the land.
- A mid-view photo of the entire area showing damage, also showing nearby healthy areas.
- How old, and how tall is the tree?
- Are there any other signs of damage on the trunk, twigs, or branches of the tree, or signs of possible insects (holes, sawdust on the trunk or below a hole, discoloration, webbing, oozing, etc.), or actual insects such as larva or moths?
- Did you notice the damage before or after we had the freeze a few weeks ago?
- Do you have other spruce trees and if so are they showing similar damage?
- How is the tree irrigated, and how often? I.e. lawn sprinkler, dedicated drip line, etc. Do you water during the winter?
- Has there been any construction or root disturbance in that area, of if the tree is on the edge of your property - your neighbor's property?
- Similarly, have any pesticides or herbicides been used in the vicinity of the tree in the last 12 months?
Here's a Colorado Forest Service fact sheet for starters.
https://csfs.colostate.edu/colorado-trees/what-is-wrong-with-my-tree/
Best regards,
Jeffco Clinician Annette
See answers below in bold red.
Sent from Mail for Windows
From: Ask Extension
Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2023 7:45 PM
To: Henry William Wearsch
Subject: Re: Colorado Blue Spruce problem (#0125057)
For some reason your answers in bold red did not come through. Please try another method. Sorry.
I'll be checking for a reply tomorrow (Monday) afternoon.
Thanks,
Jeff C, clinician
Jeffco Plant clinic
Jeff,
See email below.
Henry
__________________________________________________________________
Hello Henry,
For some reason your answers in bold red did not come through. Please try another method. Sorry.
I'll be checking for a reply tomorrow (Monday) afternoon.
Thanks,
Jeff C, clinician
Jeffco Plant clinic
Need to reply to the expert? Click the link below, or simply reply to this email.
Click here to view #0125057
Jefferson County Extension of Colorado State University
Plant Diagnostic Clinic
<personal data hidden>
https://jeffco.extension.colostate.edu/horticulture/clinic/
Call or email for hours and sample submission guidelines
This is great picture of the damage you're seeing. Could you send additional pictures of:
1. If possible, the entire tree on that side, capturing the top and the ground beneath the tree where it is planted. We're looking for the general lay of the land.
- See attached photo
2. A mid-view photo of the entire area showing damage, also showing nearby healthy areas.
- See attached photo
3. Bottom-view of tree
- See attached photo
- Nearby healthy areas.
- See attached photo
Also, these questions will help us:
2. How old, and how tall is the tree?
Not sure of age, bought at Botanical Paradise in Littleton/. They planted the tree.
About 7-8 feet tall
3. Are there any other signs of damage on the trunk, twigs, or branches of the tree, or signs of possible insects (holes, sawdust on the trunk or below a hole, discoloration, webbing, oozing, etc.), or actual insects such as larva or moths?
No
4. Did you notice the damage before or after we had the freeze a few weeks ago?
Before at the end of this summer
5. Do you have other spruce trees and if so are they showing similar damage?
No other spruce trees close by
6. How is the tree irrigated, and how often? I.e. lawn sprinkler, dedicated drip line, etc. Do you water during the winter?
By garden hose set to drip for about 20 minute per week.
Moisture is tested with a Rapid Test Soil Moisture Tester at level 3.5 around the tree within about 1 foot from the trunk.
7. Has there been any construction or root disturbance in that area, of if the tree is on the edge of your property - your neighbor's property?
No
8. Similarly, have any pesticides or herbicides been used in the vicinity of the tree in the last 12 months?
Not sure
It's been a strange year for Colorado landscape trees and plants because of the lingering, moist spring that transitioned right to the heat of midsummer, then summer ending with an especially low temp first freeze. We've seen all sorts of odd things due to the odd weather. Most of these will not cause lasting problems. Your additional photos and answers will give us more information to hopefully figure out why your spruce has this issue.
Here's a Colorado Forest Service fact sheet for starters.
https://csfs.colostate.edu/colorado-trees/what-is-wrong-with-my-tree/
Best regards,
Jeffco Clinician Annette
Need to reply to the expert? Click the link below, or simply reply to this email.
Click here to view #0125057
Jefferson County Extension of Colorado State University
Plant Diagnostic Clinic
<personal data hidden>
https://jeffco.extension.colostate.edu/horticulture/clinic/
Call or email for hours and sample submission guidelines
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Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.
Your tree actually looks quite healthy. I see a lot of new growth from last spring. So, whatever is going on doesn't seem to be serious.
It does not appear to be a disease nor root damage. I am not seeing any herbicide damage either. So, what could it be?
I suspect it is related to watering. The needle drop seems to be mostly at the bottom. Correct? I'm thinking the spruce may be getting too much water. The roots of your spruce tree are expanding far beyond your mulch ring. They are spreading 3 to 5 times the height of your tree into your turf. Since your turf appears to be quite healthy, there is no need to give your tree additional water. It is getting all the water it needs when you water your turf.
Here are some recommendations:
1. Stop giving your tree additional water via drip.
2. Do water your landscape this fall and winter if needed. (Your landscape needs about an inch of water each month. If not, you'll need to drag out the hose and water. See the link below for recommendations for fall & winter watering.)
3. Be aware of adding herbicides to your lawn. Blue spruce have a fairly shallow root system, and they'll easily absorb chemicals from anything added to the lawn.
Here are a couple of articles.
Fall and winter watering: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/fall-and-winter-watering-7-211/
Blue Spruce information from Missouri Botanical:
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=284991&isprofile=0&
Needle drop from Utah State:
https://extension.usu.edu/pests/ipm/notes_orn/list-treeshrubs/needle-drop
Let me know if you have further questions.
Jeff C, clinician
Jeffco Plant clinic
