Browning foliage and needle drop are the primary symptoms
A broad range of fungal diseases that cause foliar discoloration and needle loss in conifers are known as needlecasts and needle blights. While visually unappealing, these diseases rarely lead to tree mortality on their own. However, they do reduce plant vigor, making affected trees more susceptible to pests and other problems.
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Conditions
These needle diseases tend to thrive in wet weather conditions, shaded environments, and areas where trees are growing close together. Plants living outside of their natural ranges are more likely to be impacted, and young specimens are often more susceptible to damage than well-established trees.
Symptoms
Browning foliage and needle drop are the primary symptoms of needlecasts and needle blights. Discoloration tends to develop in blotches or bands, rather than changing color uniformly. Noticeable browning and needle drop have generally occurred by mid-summer. Upon close inspection (magnification may be needed), small fungal fruiting structures may be seen on infected needles.
Depending on the lifecycle of the specific disease, discoloration and needle loss symptoms may first appear on the current year's growth (at the branch tips) or on two-year old needles (while growth at the tips remains green).
Control
Avoid overcrowding of trees and prune to allow for air circulation and light penetration within the canopies of conifers. This reduces damp conditions, where these needle diseases thrive.
Infections can generally be controlled with properly applied fungicide treatments. Timing varies depending on which needle disease is causing the problem. Also, proper irrigation, mulching, and fertilization as needed are recommended to help improve overall plant resilience.
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- We have several blue spruce trees in our yard and one is dying, dropping green needles, and turning brown. I don't want it to spread to the others. The trees are about 20 to 25 years old and have always been beautiful. If there is a known problem this year, perhaps you could recommend a spray.
- We have three big Blue Spruce trees in our front yard. All of a sudden, the branches have started to turn brown and are very brittle. What is going on?
- A Colorado Blue Spruce is suffering from some type of blight. Can the problem be determined and treated during the winter?