What disease is killing spruce trees?
Rhizosphaera needle cast is a fungal disease of spruce trees that causes needles to turn brown and fall off. Trees stressed from drought, poor planting practices or other factors are more likely to suffer from Rhizosphaera needle cast.
What does spruce fungus look like?
In moist conditions, the fungus inside older needles produces black fruiting structures (pycnidia) that appear as distinct rows of black, pinhead-size dots. These fruiting structures emerge through needle pores (stomata), either before or after the needles have dropped.
How is spruce disease treated?
Management & Treatment Options
- Prune out severely affected branches.
- Rake up and dispose of fallen needles.
- Begin treatment with a registered fungicide in spring at half-needle elongation.
- Deep root water during periods of drought.
- Fertilize with Arbor Green PRO to invigorate plant growth.
What does blue spruce fungus look like?
Small black spots (fruiting structures of the fungus) appear in rows in the infected needles. The fungus is actually emerging from the stomata (natural pore-like openings) that occur in lines on all sides of a spruce needle. Green needles may show these small black fruiting structures.
Can you save a dying spruce tree?
Prune away dead branches, twigs, and infected areas of the tree. Remove fallen foliage and destroy it (burn it). Do not add to compost piles. Apply a fungicide to the tree after removing signs of the infection.
When do you spray fungicide on blue spruce?
Protecting new growth as it emerges is very important. For best effectiveness, fungicides should be applied when the emerging needles are half elongated (1/2 to 2 inches in length). Needle cast diseases can be effectively controlled with fungicides containing chlorothalonil.
What kind of fungus grows on spruce trees?
Rhizosphaera. Probably the most common problem affecting spruce trees is a fungal disease known as Rhizosphaera Needle Cast. This disease can affect most species of spruce, but is especially problematic on Colorado Blue Spruce.
How do you revive a spruce tree?
When you first see browning needles on lower branches, and bluish-white resin flowing from them, prune branches back to the next lateral branch at least four inches from the affected area. Prevent spreading the disease by spraying pruning shears with a household disinfectant and allow it to dry between cuts.
What is the best fungicide for evergreens?
We use propiconazole or thiophanate methyl or a combination of the two. Fungicide injections using propiconazole can also give good control. Infected needles and leaves are the main source for re-infection of the new plant foliage.
What diseases do blue spruce get?
There are three principle types of diseases that affect blue spruce trees: needlecasts, tip blights and canker diseases….All of these diseases are caused by fungal pathogens and each produce specific symptoms that can be useful in diagnosing the problem.
- Needlecasts.
- Tip blights.
- Canker diseases.
How do you apply fungicide to blue spruce?
It is imperative that you treat the entire tree next spring with the chlorothalonil fungicide just after bud break and before needles are half elongated. A second treatment should be applied 3 weeks after the initial treatment.
How to diagnose and fix dwarf Alberta spruce problems?
Causes for Needle Drop on Dwarf Alberta Spruces
Why is my dwarf Alberta spruce turning brown?
Rhizosphaera Needle Cast. An Alberta spruce that is turning brown may be infected by Rhizosphaera needle cast,a disease caused by the fungus Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii.
How to grow and care for dwarf Alberta spruce shrubs?
– Their conical shape makes them ideal outdoor Christmas trees for a front entry. – Install a pair to flank the beginning of a garden walkway. – In or out of a container, Dwarf Alberta spruce tree is a good choice for a cemetery plant because it does not require much maintenance and has a naturally tidy