Knowledgebase
My Spruce Trees Are Not Happy #889528
Asked November 08, 2024, 10:54 AM EST
Lapeer County Michigan
Expert Response
Please find additional phots attached. Thank You
Hello Barbara,
Before I can figure out what you have, I am going to ask you to do a test. If you could take one of the needles and see if it rolls between your fingers. If it does, it is a spruce. If it doesn't it is a fir. So when you have done that.....I can better access your trees.
Thank you,
Hello Barbara,
Since i have not heard back from you Concerning whether this is a fir or spruce, I will give you recommendations on evergreens. I am not sure what 'infestation or disease' you are talking about. The only thing I see on the bottom limbs is lichen. Lichen occurs when the branches are dead and the lichen is formed as it is rotting. They look quite healthy considering where they are planted. I would remove all weeds to the drip line from below the trees. I would then mulch the trees, 2-3 inches of hardwood mulch. They probably could stand a treatment of fertilizer, but I would wait until March-April to do that. If you want to trim the dead branches back, you can. But understand that evergreens will not produce more branches or needles in the lower areas.
I have included several publications for your reference.
https://extension.umn.edu/managing-woodlands/managing-spruce-fir-forests
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/pine_spruce_or_fir_getting_to_know_michigan_evergreen_trees
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