We have a spruce tree that's turned completely orange this spring. I assume it's dead.
What's the cause, pest, fungus, soil? It looked fine during the winter, but as soon as the thaw came it died. We've also got another spruce a few feet away with one orange branch.
Do I have to wait til fall to plant a replacement?
Conifers that appear orange at this time of year probably died during the winter or well before. Especially spruces - most of which are very resistant to desiccation even when dead. How long was the tree in the ground? What kind of spruce/ Where on globe are you? Is the tree next to pavement/ Does it inhale exhaust for hours while the car warms up? Is it buy the pool filter? Need more info.....
I don't really know how long it's been there, probably 10 to 15 years.
I think it's a native transplant, so it's likely a white spruce.
It's fairly close to the fence (neighbor), so it could be a dog problem?
There were actually three spruce in a clump, I removed the middle one when I extended a walkway last year. Perhaps the limestone screenings affected this tree. But the tree closest to the new walkway looks fine. The dead tree was furthest from the new patio stones.
I'm in Toronto ON. The winter was not any colder than most.
White spruce will tolerate alkalinity pretty well IME, so I don't think the limestone pavers are the issue. Sounds like something related to the walkway extension project - root removal coupled with a rough winter maybe?? Or, are the trees now being inundated with more water than before??
The single orange branch on the other tree is really throwing me.
Can't be of more help with traveling. Sorry.
Thanks Mike,
A friend suggested that it could be a chemical like Roundup causing the problem.
I did spread the dirt from the walkway excavation under several of the Spruce trees, so perhaps there was something in the soil. The tree with the one orange branch is much bigger (25'), so perhaps it has a better tolerance for whatever was in the soil. Does not explain why the smaller neighbor is OK though.
Sounds like some type of rust. There a few different types that affect spruces. Sometimes and alternate host such as a juniper is involved. I'd consider removing the affected branch and taking it somewhere for ID and preventive treatment. The conditions may have already improved with removal of the middle tree.
Consider the possibility that adding soil beneath the trees caused/contributed to their problem:
..."Dieback can occur quickly or take several years, depending on the severity of the root injury or altered root environment...."
Another article from "Western Arborist" magazine, regarding the symbiosis of mycorrhizae with many tree species, including spruce, states: "Do not allow soil addition (grade change). Even as little as 2 or 3 inches of soil added on top of original grade can weaken the roots/mycorrhizae enough to predispose the tree to disease."
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