Blue Spruce Going Brown

[Sandman1600]

Hi,

We have a tree that my parents bought for us when we moved into our home. We think its a blue spruce.

However in the last few months the lower, inner branches are turning brown and crisp. I've attached some photos. There is new growth on the end of the branches.

We're desperate not to lose this tree so I'd really appreciate an opinion.

Thank you. Steve

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[Sandman1600]

Thanks for the reply.

We?re just outside a city though and there?s no deer anywhere round here. We get foxes and cats but little else.

This browning is mainly on the inner, lower part of the tree which I wouldn?t have said was easily accessible for foxes or cats though. There?s another plant around the base of it which makes it even harder for them to access.

We had really cold temperatures and heavy snow earlier in the year if that could be a factor?

It?s also planted in a relatively shallow bed of soil... about 2 to 3 feet.

My main concern is that it?s disease or something else that needs treating to halt it.

Thanks again.

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[penmart01]

Spruce doesn't like wet soil, if it's in a low spot that stays wet for extended periods that could be the problem.

[Boron Elgar]

Not sure if your climate or location would necessarily have these problems, but here are specific pics of needle browning that might match and give hints.

[John Granade]

Is that the type they have at the HUD apartment you live in?

[Alfred Falk]

Sandman1600 wrote in news: [e-mail]:

Might not be anything particularly terrible. Inner/lower branches of spruce normally die off as the tree grows and they don't get enough light. Dryness can accelerate the process.

[Sandman1600]

Thanks again for all the replies.

Looking at that link, it does look very similar to Rhizosphaera needle cast... how it's browning but new shoots appearing on the ends of the "dead" branches.

I've uploaded another photo with a closer look at the needles... are these dots not what needle cast looks like?

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[Boron Elgar]

I confess that is out of my area of knowledge. Does one have local agricultural services provided by government there? We call them "extension" services and they can often provide information specific to the area about growing, blight, etc. If you have such, you might want to check there.