Other reports of dieback are on trees … Left, Decline symptoms moving upward. Photo credits: Jill O’Donnell, MSU. Alternative conifers for Michigan landscapes. All species of spruce, including Colorado blue and white spruce, are being affected, but particularly concerning is the prevalence of ‘decline’ symptoms on well-established Norway spruce. Symptoms of forest decline of spruce in Europe range from needle yellowing and loss to tree and stand mortality. Damage from gall adelgids is mainly aesthetic. ), which turn needles red or lavender, respectively, and can leave large areas in the tree bare after needles are shed. Each pest causes specific damage or symptoms on trees, such as yellow pin pricks on needles affected by spider mites and black fungal structures on needles killed by Rhizosphaera needle cast. As a result, they are stressed and more susceptible to fungal pathogens. Two needle cast diseases occur in North Dakota: Rhizosphaera needle cast and Stigmina needle cast. Colorado blue spruce is native to arid regions in the Rocky Mountains. Weather-related stresses and other biotic/abiotic factors involving the root collar, root system, soil nutrient, pH, compaction, and drainage need to be evaluated to help keep spruce trees healthy. The likelihood of having success can be improved by planting blue spruce trees on sites with conditions they favor. Some little bugs fell out. Canker diseases are most commonly found on trees under stress so landscape trees should be monitored closely. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. As there are multiple cankers on the tree, the odds of this tree thriving are not good. All of these diseases are caused by fungal pathogens and each produce specific symptoms that can be useful in diagnosing the problem. It is most common on trees less than 20 feet tall, and is fatal to trees less than 4 feet tall. New pathogens seem to be discovered annually, and the unusual weather conditions in recent years have further complicated everything. 'Skylands' should be protected from hot afternoon sun on summer's longest days or it will burn. Chrysomyxa weirii: Destroy heavily infected trees. Needlecasts. Throughout the Midwest, Colorado blue spruces have been showing needle loss, dead branches, and browning foliage. If you wish to save the tree, I would advise pruning out the affected … The youngest needles at the tips of branches typically remain healthy. Tip blights are most common on pines, especially Austrian pines, but can also occur on spruces. • Current needles near galls may be green; needles are dead and discolored on older shoots with galls. Videos Length: 00:07:09. Picea orientalis 'Skylands' is another oriental spruce tree; its distinctive feature is its lovely golden foliage. Norway spruce trees can be damaged by lack of water, lack of nutrition, pests like spider mites and beetles, and over-fertilization. Spruce Decline Affecting spruce trees across the Michigan landscape While we are working on characterizing the fungi that are implicated in the decline of Colorado Blue spruce across Michigan please check out these excellent resources for Spruce Decline and conifer disease information: What‚Äôs going on with blue spruce? It is important to note that fungicide treatments for needlecasts only protect new growth. Dwarf varieties and properly spaced larger spruce varieties will have better air penetration and needles will dry more quickly. All species of spruce, including Colorado blue and white spruce, are being affected, but particularly concerning is the prevalence of ‘decline’ symptoms on well-established Norway spruce. Remove and destroy any diseased branches and needles by burning (where allowed), burying or hot composting. Unfortunately, when most people call, the damage is so severe it is past the treatment stage, or Spruce trees are the most problematic of all conifers in our landscape right now. There are, however, two plant diseases that commonly infect and disfigure them. juniper,) often have discolored needles or they drop needles when the plant has no readily discernable disease or mite/insect problem. I held a white paper underneath and hit branch. plays an important role in the adaptation strategy of forest services to future climate change. If you can pin down a specific reason for the tree's decline, treat that reason directly. As a result, bare areas develop on the tree, reducing its ornamental value and overall health. Being a leader in the tree care industry means continually focusing on learning and innovation. Spruce trees have shallow root systems and become stressed during drought, making them vulnerable to insect damage. Height usually 40' to 60', occasionally 100', with a diameter of 24"; straight trunk; long, stout branches form broad conical head. This is a difficult question. If 'Skylands' gets too big for your garden, there is a select "Skylands seedling" called 'Firefly' that displays the same golden foliage, but grows more slowly and stays smaller. You might’ve noticed there’s something strange going on with the spruce trees in your neighborhood. Tip blights are fungal diseases that typically cause dieback to new, emerging shoots (Photo 4). However, a recent survey by Michigan State University researchers suggests two other fungal pathogens, Diplodia and Phomopsis, were much more commonly associated with branch death and tree decline than Cytospora (Photos 8-9). Trees may produce ridges of wound tissue around older canker infections as the tree attempts to restrict the fungus’ growth. Environmental factors such as drought stress, elevated summer temperatures, and wetter growing seasons have played a significant role in twig dieback and needle defoliation. Tip blights. Why Spruce Trees Lose Their Needles, Purdue Extension Blue Spruce Decline, Purdue Extension Diseases Common in Blue Spruce, Purdue Extension Tree Installation: Process and Practices, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center Tree Planting and Urban Forestry Videos, Subscribe to our Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel This red spruce story goes back to the 1960s. Middle, New shoot tips killed by Phomopsis tip blight. While beautiful in shape, color and texture, spruces are not native to our region, and that plays a role in their demise. program! Learn how to identify types of spruce trees, symptoms of two common fungal diseases, and what if any treatments are available. Photo credits: Left photo, Christine McTavish, MSU; right photo, Dennis Fulbright, MSU. 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