Why are the needles falling of my montgomery blue spruce?
Question:The needles are coming off all over this shrub. Can I do anything to save this shrub? The shrub is 6 years old.
Thanks for your advice
Answers:
Evergreen needles only live for 3-5 years depending upon the species. It is normal for a spruce tree to drop its oldest needles. This can occur any time of the year, but people tend to notice it more in spring. If the needles that are falling are the oldest and on the inside of the plant, then your're OK. If the needles out at the end of the branch tips (newest) are falling off then you have a problem. The most likely reason for loss of 2nd or 3rd year needles is disease. To identify the disease requires a visual inspection of the tree and the needles. There is also a possibility that it is insects. Consult with your local university extension service or call an arborist if you think its your new needles & possible disease or insect infestation.
Some needle loss at this time of year is normal for a pine tree. Is it getting enough sun, water?
Montgomery Blue Spruce
Picea pungens 'Montgomery'
Hardiness Zone: 3
Family: Spruce
Description:
A small, dense mounded shrub, very unlike the species, becoming a miniature Christmas tree shape, adaptable and hardy; intensely silver-blue needles, an excellent choice for form and color in the garden
Ornamental Attributes:
Montgomery Blue Spruce has attractive silvery blue foliage. The needles remain silvery blue through the winter. Neither the flowers nor the fruit are ornamentally significant. The smooth gray bark is not particularly outstanding.
Landscape Attributes:
Montgomery Blue Spruce is a dense evergreen shrub with a strong central leader and a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.
This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Montgomery Blue Spruce is recommended for the following landscape applications;
General Garden Use
Plant Characteristics:
Montgomery Blue Spruce will grow to be about 8 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 60 years.
This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade, and should receive at least 15 inches of precipitation each year. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder zones.
It is a native plant to North America, and is generally not considered to be toxic by most garden authors.
try to add some of this new stuff from bayeradvanced! i use it and it works wonderfully! i've not had one problem with my trees that i had last year...knock on wood.. lol!
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