What causes a colorado blue spruce to have brown needles and then lose the needles at the top of it?
Question:I have a colorado blue spruce that is about 4 feet high and the needles at the top foot of it turned brown then fell off. It seems like it is starting to travel down the tree more but I don't see any bugs on the tree. The rest of the tree looks great and has new growth and has even shot up in height this spring. Please help, I don't want my tree to die. What can I do to help it?
Answers:
I have seen this often, but mostly on white pines. However, they do sometimes attack the blue spruce.
They are most likely weevils. They bore small holes into the tree, so you can't see them.
Here is a quote I found:
"Control Hints
All controls should be targeted to kill the adults or larvae before the tree leaders are damaged.
Strategy 1: Mechanical Control - Prune Infested Leaders - As soon as infested leaders droop, cut the leader out just below where the bark discoloration stops. Do not throw this pruned leader on the ground as some of the weevils may survive. If the damage is stopped before the first whorl of branches is reached, a new leader can be easily trained.
Strategy 2: Remove Weevil Breeding Habitat - In Christmas tree plantations (which include Blue Spruces) and ornamental nurseries, try to destroy or remove eastern white pine in nearby forest stands. These trees serve as sources of infestation.
Strategy 3: Spring Insecticide Sprays - This is the most commonly used technique. Look for the sap flow coming from leaders in early to mid-April. This indicates that the adults are feeding and sprays should be applied immediately. Systemic insecticides are often more effective because they kill any larvae which may already be inside the leader. See Bulletin 504 for a current listing of insecticides registered for this purpose. "
Since it is almost summer, I would cut off the dead leader. Keep an eye out in the spring.
Good luck! I am not sure without looking at your tree as to what exactly it is, but this is my best guess.
Hello
If you see absolutly no insects on it then you need a microscope. Several possibilties and here is my best without looking at the tree. Mites are close to microscopic sucking insects that are easily missed to the untrained naked eye. They tend to cause random brown spots throughout the tree where they are feeding. They can also brown just on section at any point of the tree if they are consolidated to that location. Disease not to common to attack Blue Spruce but it is possible. Also not common to brown from the top down usually spiratic and akward discoloration is visible first. Bacterial infections in the soil harming the root system. The Bacteria may be harming the root which in turn would be harming the intake of nutrients and water. This would cause the highest part from the roots to die first because the lower area's would be getting most of the nutrients that are processed. To control the Mites you need a systemic insectide containg 1 of the 2 either Acephate or Imidiclorpridt. They take two weeks to work so the sooner you apply the better. Do not use a Volck Oil or any Oil's because they will discolor and damage your tree. For the best results bring a piece of the dead a piece of the living and a piece where the dead meets the living, to a reputable Garden Center and they should be able to help. Goodluck.
Greenman
I had this happen when I lived in Colorado. I planted a blue spruce and the top died off. I was told that the way to avoid this problem is to not plant the tree too late in the season. I planted the tree in August and since winter can come early to that part of the country, the top of the tree died. I later planted another blue spruce in April and didn't have this problem with it. I was also told this is a pecularity of this type of tree.
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