Hi, I need to know if we can save this tree, or if we should just take it down. Can anyone identify the problem? Thanks.
Rhizosphaera Needlecast of Picea pungens 'Glauca'. It has been a bad year for it in the region, but a consistent issue nonetheless. The damage you are seeing is a result of infection from 12-15 months prior -- The spread of spores is occurring much faster than the plant's ability to generate new tissue. You can remove all dead tissue and clutter on the ground in the immediate vicinity of the tree to reduce the amount of spore producing tissue, but I'm afraid the outlook is grim.
