Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Cultivation => Cultivation Problems => Topic started by: Graham Catlow on May 02, 2019, 07:13:37 PM

Title: Picea problem?
Post by: Graham Catlow on May 02, 2019, 07:13:37 PM

Can anyone shed any light on what may be the problem with this picea please.
All the needles have turned brown and are clearly dead. There is evidence of new growth though.

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Title: Re: Picea problem?
Post by: brianw on May 02, 2019, 08:03:38 PM

My recollection is that "Sudden needle drop" is a fungus attaching a tree under stress. I have 2 dwarf trees, 1 either side of my main entrance, and I am on my second pair in 5 years. 1 or both catch me out eventually because I don't water often enough; presumably. I have 1 healthy and one not so... at present. At a distance they look Ok but I know 1 is unhealthy.

Title: Re: Picea problem?
Post by: Graham Catlow on May 02, 2019, 08:52:56 PM

Thanks Brian,
Is there any hope for it or does it need to go.

Title: Re: Picea problem?
Post by: Maggi Young on May 02, 2019, 08:55:35 PM

There  is  some  kind  of  aphid/pest  attack which defoliates Blue  Spruce - I forget  what it  is  exactly - but  there's  not a  lot  you can do when it  gets to the  state  of yours, I reckon Graham. Sorry!

Title: Re: Picea problem?
Post by: Graham Catlow on May 02, 2019, 09:04:53 PM

Thanks Maggi.

Title: Re: Picea problem?
Post by: Maggi Young on May 02, 2019, 09:09:51 PM

Crikey, you can't thank me  for  bad  news!  Sorry again, Graham!!

Title: Re: Picea problem?
Post by: brianw on May 02, 2019, 09:26:57 PM

Found this online

https://extension.illinois.edu/hortanswers/detailProblem.cfm?PathogenID=229

You might get the remainder growing OK again but you will still have a lot of bare patches to cover up. Good luck.