Ailing spruce trees

Last year we noticed some dead growth on several spruce trees in our yard. There doesn't seem to be any sign of a pest although the spruce bud worm has been identified in Manitoba. We would hate to lose these trees that surround our yard as they provide shelter and privacy. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Examine closely for bugs (if climate not too cold) or blight.

 

Don't see any bugs or blight.

 

Take samples to whatever government or commercial (like trusted garden center) resource you have available to you there for assistance. For the trees to look like this they are being affected by a hostile environmental condition or being infested by a pathogenic organism.

 

Is it just the low branches, or are any of the branches in the upper crown also affected?

 

I'm having the same problem with a blue spruce. The tips show new growth but the inner part of the branch is bare. All branches to the crown are affected. The tree is 25 years old and over 30 feet high. The only thing I can see are browned needles.

Lynette
Ottawa ON

 

I'm having the same problem with my spruce (? It was IDed by a member of this forum)! The details are here: http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=37476

I wonder what it is...

 

Lynette, it looks your spruce has Rhizosphaera needlecast. There appear to be black fruiting bodies coming from the stomates, and the fact that the new growth is fine also makes me think this is your problem.

Jorie, I can't say for sure that this is your problem. To be sure, you'd want to look at the needles. But from the pictures, it looks like the bottom branches are completely dead, while the ones directly above are in relatively better shape. You might want to investigate for Cytospora canker.

Now, I'm not an arborist, so you should probably do some additional research on these things on your own. I just thought considering these options might help you focus your resources more effectively.

 

Thank you, TreeBugs! I have the name of a good arborist so will call him to get an idea of how to deal with it.

Lynette

 

Whoa- that sounds really similar to what's happening to my tree too (what's happening to Lynette's, I mean) Actually, the ends of the branches are starting to yellow, too, and the top has completely lost all its needles... I guess that sounds a bit different. But all of these remedies involve chemicals- it's not really something I can try. Are there any natural fungus repellents for trees?

 

I noticed a road in the background - any chance that salt is spread and snow piled around the base of the tree in winter?