Englemann spruce problem that needs advice PLS
- Thread starter August44
- Start date
The older growth (the brown and yellow-ish green) needles will eventually fall off. From a maintenance perspective, you can remove them simply by rubbing them off. The ones that are ready to fall off will come easily, don't force it. Forcing it means that you're removing needles that the tree is still using and that could have some negative consequences. You shouldn't have to peel off the needles, they'll come off fairly easily.
From my perspective the coloration is what I'd expect from a spruce, new growth is often significantly lighter in color (bright green or pale blue in this case) and will mellow out over time.
If you want to get more bifurcation and branching, you need to be very selective with your pruning. You'll want the tree to be growing vigorously (appears to be so right now) and you have to be very surgical to prune back to a pair of buds. The buds are very small but may be present on the new growth. If you can identify those, you're safe to remove the growing tip and cut back to a pair. If you let the branch really grow you may also get some budding back on some of the branches.
In regards to color of foliage, no advice to share here. I recall hearing that certain fertilizers and nutrient supplementation can yield a different color to spruce. I don't have any experience or guidance to provide there.
From my perspective the coloration is what I'd expect from a spruce, new growth is often significantly lighter in color (bright green or pale blue in this case) and will mellow out over time.
If you want to get more bifurcation and branching, you need to be very selective with your pruning. You'll want the tree to be growing vigorously (appears to be so right now) and you have to be very surgical to prune back to a pair of buds. The buds are very small but may be present on the new growth. If you can identify those, you're safe to remove the growing tip and cut back to a pair. If you let the branch really grow you may also get some budding back on some of the branches.
In regards to color of foliage, no advice to share here. I recall hearing that certain fertilizers and nutrient supplementation can yield a different color to spruce. I don't have any experience or guidance to provide there.
Thanks for the reply. Collected this time last year and I have not pruned anything as yet. None of the discolored needles are in any way loose or falling off. I have quite a number of collected spruce and 99% are not like this at all.
Cruiser
Chumono
It appears that year old needles are strongly affected, but not the new growth. This seems like a fungal issue, some kind of needle rust, cast, or blight.
Did you check for fruiting bodies on the affected needles? Now is the time they would be infecting new growth. You might be able to catch it with a fungicide.
Did you check for fruiting bodies on the affected needles? Now is the time they would be infecting new growth. You might be able to catch it with a fungicide.
I wondered about that also. What does fruiting bodies mean and what do they look like pls? Also, best fungus spray to use on spruce. I have several versions of Copper Fungicide but maybe you know of a better one.
I looked up what the fruiting bodies were and what they look like. I got the scope and took a look at a branch...yes, black dots all over old needles and a bunch of tiny, clear looking bugs on the new needles. I would assume the bugs are mites. Not a good combination at all in my opinion. The damage is done to the older needles and the color (ugly) will stay there until the needles fall off and mites are tough to eradicate. I have some sprays that say they will kill mites, but only partially effective from my experience. Dang it!
Cruiser
Chumono
This may be what’s affecting your spruce. The guide mentions mancozeb and a few other fungicides help protect new needles from infection.
I’m guessing you’ve already moved the sick tree far from the others?
You may still want to treat your other spruces as well just in case. If they’re healthy right now, infection wouldn’t be obvious until next year.
Moved it to the garbage can!
This may be what’s affecting your spruce. The guide mentions mancozeb and a few other fungicides help protect new needles from infection.
I’m guessing you’ve already moved the sick tree far from the others?
You may still want to treat your other spruces as well just in case. If they’re healthy right now, infection wouldn’t be obvious until next year.
I would re-imburse of course
mwar15
Omono
You can get manacozeb on Amazon, or local nurseries.
You know I tried that several hrs ago and it would not ship to Oregon but just now it did work. No clue. Thanks for the reminder.
Has anyone tried Bonide Infuse which is a systemic fungicide?
