Gardening > Plant HealthDecember 11, 2009

Alberta Spruce Tree Turning Brown

We had a "dwarf" Alberta spruce that outgrew it's space after 15 years. We moved it and replaced it with a smaller one last year that browned and died. We replaced that with another this past summer and unfortunately that too is dying. The needles are browning and fall off when shaken.

I've seen several posts that say it could be spider mites (although one says they are resistant). I'm willing to try anything (although at this time of year - December) may be out of luck.

Several folks have sprayed for the mites. Can you provide info on what you sprayed with? Any other suggestions will be gratefully accepted as we love having a tree there and would hate to replace it with something else.

Hardiness Zone: 6a

By Helen from Allentown, PA

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Dwarf Alberta Spruce Turning Brown

I planted four Alberta spruces in May, and have been spraying them with insecticide every ten days and giving them plenty of water. They are all browning and loosing their needles up on top of the tree. The inside of tree is also browning. I don't know what else to do.

By Fred

 

Dying Alberta Spruce

We built our house in 2009 and had the builder plant six Alberta spruce trees in the flower bed in the front of the house. A sprinkling system was installed by the builder and one zone is for this flower bed.

After two years one of the spruce started to get brown needles in a few places. I trimmed them and sprayed everything in the flower bed with insecticide several times. About a month later a second spruce turned completely brown within two days, so I removed it. The first one has also turned completely brown and been removed. I had also started spraying the flower bed plants for diseases. Now a seventh spruce which I planted myself over a year ago has gotten brown needles. I did the “white paper” check for spider mites and did not see any “black pepper spots”.

Almost every time I sprayed the flower bed plants I would see many small moth-like insects fly out. I live in Huntsville, Alabama and we had several Alberta spruce in a previous location in this city with far less problems concerning the spruce. The remaining spruce still seem to be doing okay.
What could have caused this, and what can be done about it?
Thanks.

By ANK

 

Spider Mites on Alberta Spruce

If there is damage from spider mites on an Alberta Spruce tree that is 3/4 brown, once sprayed can new growth appear or is it too late to spray to save the tree?

By Terri

 

Most Recent Answer

By jswen001 06/10/2011

It really depends on how badly infected the tree is, if there was a lot of damage.It's hard to tell. Alberta Spruce are super slow growers and are very finicky about their environment they grow in. If the whole tree is 3/4 brown. I really hate to say it's a "goner", but it may be looking that way.

Alberta Spruce Turning Brown on Top

I have 8 Alberta spruce trees and 2 weeks ago I noticed the tops of 3 of the trees are turning brown. I have had them for 10/11 years with no trouble, except the usual. What is happening now? Please help me. I water them late at nite and I also use Miracle Gro liquid, that I spray with the hose. There has been no help from that.

By Jeanette

 

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We have a variation of the Alberta spruce tree/shrub. They are turning brown in many, many areas. Not sure what to do to help them along.


I posted that my Alberta Spruces were browning out. Yet some new growth was visible. I sprayed for spider mites and fungus.


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