Rhizosphaera Needle Cast Blue spruce trees are susceptible to an infectious needle disease caused by the fungus Rhizosphaera. The disease, referred to as Rhizosphaera needle cast, is the most common problem seen on blue spruce samples that are submitted to the Plant Disease Clinic.
Contents
- 1 How do you treat blue spruce disease?
- 2 What kills blue spruce trees?
- 3 What diseases affect blue spruce trees?
- 4 What is killing all the spruce trees?
- 5 Can a dying blue spruce be saved?
- 6 How do you revive a dying blue spruce?
- 7 What is the life expectancy of a blue spruce tree?
- 8 How do you treat blue spruce Cytospora canker?
- 9 What does Cytospora canker look like?
- 10 Why are my spruce trees dying from the bottom up?
- 11 Why are my blue spruce trees losing their needles?
- 12 What causes brown needles on blue spruce trees?
- 13 What does a diseased pine tree look like?
- 14 How do you treat fungus on a spruce tree?
- 15 How do you treat evergreen trees with fungus?
How do you treat blue spruce disease?
Fungicides with the active ingredient chlorothalonil, copper hydroxide or mancozeb will protect new spruce needles from infection by Rhizosphaera.
- Make one application in spring or early summer when the new needles have grown to half their mature length.
- Make a second application 3 to 4 weeks later.
What kills blue spruce trees?
By far the most common complaint of cultivated blue spruces is needle cast disease, mostly that caused by the fungus Rhizospaera kalkhoffii. It infects young needles and overwinters on living or recently killed foliage. During the growing season, the spores spread to other branches, or other trees, by splashing water.
What diseases affect blue spruce trees?
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.
What is killing all the spruce trees?
Rhizosphaera needle cast disease, caused by a fungal pathogen, can severely impact spruce, killing needles and causing them to drop prematurely. With all the rain and wet conditions of 2017, the disease exploded. Blue spruce trees are most commonly and most severely impacted.
Can a dying blue spruce be saved?
When you detect some of the symptoms early, you can sometimes save your spruce trees. However, you need professional help to treat some of the diseases that kill spruce trees. On the other hand, if the trees can’t be saved, you can replace them with a different kind.
How do you revive a dying blue spruce?
The following will help you manage needlecast:
- Prune away dead branches, twigs, and infected areas of the tree.
- Remove fallen foliage and destroy it (burn it).
- Apply a fungicide to the tree after removing signs of the infection.
- Deep water the tree once per week to help it recover from the stress.
What is the life expectancy of a blue spruce tree?
Growth and Yield- Blue spruce is apparently a long-lived tree, surviving up to 600 years or more. Diameter growth is slow; trees 10 to 13 cm (4 to 5 in) in d.b.h. may be 125 to 135 years old; at 46 to 56 cm (18 to 22 in), they may be 275 to 350 years of age (84).
How do you treat blue spruce Cytospora canker?
Management: There is no known cure for cytospora canker. Fungicide treatments are not recommended. The Davey Institute recommends maintaining the health and vitality of susceptible trees to manage the disease; healthy trees are less susceptible to cytospora canker.
What does Cytospora canker look like?
What does Cytospora canker look like? Cytospora canker usually first appears on lower branches and progresses up the tree. Individual upper branches may show symptoms as well. Needles on infected branches turn purple, then brown and die.
Why are my spruce trees dying from the bottom up?
In drought-like conditions, evergreens may have trouble getting enough water to all their needles. As a result, bottom needles die to help hydrate the rest of the tree. This problem is easy to fix! If the tree’s soil is dry to the touch, give it extra water through summer’s dry spells.
Why are my blue spruce trees losing their needles?
Fungal Diseases Spruce and pine trees can be prone to several fungal infections that can lead to needle discoloration and early drop. One of these fungal infections is known as cytospora canker, which primarily affects Colorado blue spruces.
What causes brown needles on blue spruce trees?
Blue spruce trees are also susceptible to Rhizosphaera needle cast, caused by the fungus Rhizosphaera. The disease begins on the tree’s lower branches and works its way upward. Needles turn purple or brown in color and eventually fall off.
What does a diseased pine tree look like?
Symptoms: Needles begin to brown, yellow, or gray at the tip and will appear short and stunted. Small, black pycnidia (fruiting bodies) develop on needles, cones, or shoots. Cankers on stems and branches may also develop, as well as oozing resin. Causes: The fungus overwinters in infected needles, cones, and tissue.
How do you treat fungus on a spruce tree?
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.
How do you treat evergreen trees with fungus?
The fungicides include Bordeaux mixture (which contains copper), chlorothalonil (with brand names Bravo or Daconil 2787) and EBDC (the letters of a long chemical name). You can hire this done or, if your tree is small and accessible, you can do it yourself, Meyer said.
