Our tree looks sick! - Ask Extension
Just curious if you have any ideas on what may be going on with our tree? It is in a row of 4 of them and this particular one is getting pretty bare o...
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Our tree looks sick! #865598
Asked April 23, 2024, 1:32 PM EDT
Just curious if you have any ideas on what may be going on with our tree? It is in a row of 4 of them and this particular one is getting pretty bare on one side. It looks like one next to it may be starting as well. Is there anything we can do to help them?
We just starting renting this home last August and really started noticing it late fall and through the winter.
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Tiffani,
These are dwarf Alberta spruce and unfortunately, this often happens to these shrubs. They do prefer more moisture and sometimes struggle in the winter with our dry climate. They also can get spider mites, which can cause some of this thinning.
While it's unlikely those gaps will fill in completely, you can increase your cultural efforts with these plants. I would recommend removing the rock (if possible) and replace it with bark mulch. If there is plastic or groundcover below the rock, remove that and apply the bark mulch directly to the soil surface. Try to water more often in summer, and aim to water at least once a month (twice is better) in fall and winter.
You can prune out any branches without needles, but leave those with growth or buds. Have you also noticed that the middle shrub has reverted to the larger needle growth? This often happens - at this point, just leave it.
Spruce are a native and very cold hardy species, but they also have higher water use rates. Do what you can to improve the overall environment.
These are dwarf Alberta spruce and unfortunately, this often happens to these shrubs. They do prefer more moisture and sometimes struggle in the winter with our dry climate. They also can get spider mites, which can cause some of this thinning.
While it's unlikely those gaps will fill in completely, you can increase your cultural efforts with these plants. I would recommend removing the rock (if possible) and replace it with bark mulch. If there is plastic or groundcover below the rock, remove that and apply the bark mulch directly to the soil surface. Try to water more often in summer, and aim to water at least once a month (twice is better) in fall and winter.
You can prune out any branches without needles, but leave those with growth or buds. Have you also noticed that the middle shrub has reverted to the larger needle growth? This often happens - at this point, just leave it.
Spruce are a native and very cold hardy species, but they also have higher water use rates. Do what you can to improve the overall environment.
