Spruce Trees Dying

[cidley69]

We live west of the city, and have several large white spruce trees in yard.

Some of the trees' needles are turning brown/red and falling off. One 20' tree is almost dead, seems like the dead part starts at top and moves down.

Another 30' tree has a few branches about 1/3 to 1/2 way down that look to be dying.

I've looked up some local arborists websites and none of the descriptions of pests/diseases have symptoms that match my trees.

Anyone have experience with similar problem? Or can recommend an arborist that knows native spruce trees well?

Thanks!

[spikerS]

sounds like a mountain Pine beetle infestation.

[Kloubek]

Certainly sounds like it, yes. Is that still going around? I know some 5-10 years ago it was a real problem, but I thought everything had recovered.

[suntan]

Mountain pine beetles do not attack spruce trees.

Take a pic? Might be difficult but look for fine webbing. Could be spruce mites.

[cidley69]

I'll take some pics tonight.

It does sound like spruce beetle:

http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/app21/forestrypage?cat1=Forest%20Health%20and%20Adaptation&cat2=Forest%20Pests%20%26%20Damage%20Agents&cat3=Spruce%20Beetle

Is there any cure for this?

[Waldi]

Originally posted by cidley69
I'll take some pics tonight.

It does sound like spruce beetle:

http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/app21/forestrypage?cat1=Forest%20Health%20and%20Adaptation&cat2=Forest%20Pests%20%26%20Damage%20Agents&cat3=Spruce%20Beetle

Is there any cure for this?

I had similar situation, was told to cut top portion of the crown about 10-12 " below infestation as beetle moves from the top to bottom. Typical sign of the start of the this is when top (crown) of the tree start leaning to one side. If you catch this early, you may be able to save the tree.

Leader wilted or dead; may include more than 1 whorl of branches
White pine weevil (on spruce) • Terminals with up to 3 whorls of branches drooped over/wilted and dead.
• All other branches not affected.
• Spruces of any age can be affected, but not
serious once the trees are > 20 feet tall.
• Larvae are found under the bark at
junction of live and dead tissues in stem
during May, June and into July. Chip
cocoons are evidence of infestation. May be
2 or 3 whorls down from the terminal.
• Insect prefers open grown trees; lots of
sunshine on the leader. So, where possible,
plant spruce under a light overstory.
• Clip and destroy attacked leaders prior to
July 15th ; before the adults emerge from
under the bark of the attacked shoot. Be
sure to get larvae. They move downward as
they develop, so they are at the junction of
live and dead tissues in the stem.
• Insecticides are labeled to control adults in
very early spring. Usually not a good
Feeding tunnels Chip cocoon Exit hole option.

[cidley69]

Are there any systemic pesticides that can be applied (by arborist)?

[suntan]

Probably - that is to say, yes, they can apply systemics, I'm not sure if there's one they can use for your particular issue. Call one.

[Sugarphreak]

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