Hi, I'm a new member looking for some advice on a young weeping white spruce in my yard. I have had this tree for about three or four years now and I have been noticing on one side how its starting to go bald dropping its needles. Specifically the lower end although the tree is only 5-6 feet tall. The needle drop is only on the side that gets little or no direct sun but there is no heavy shade there either, only a four foot privacy fence about 4 feet away. I know from experience over the years that all spruce and other conifers can be finicky about where they are planted, their shading and growing too close to other trees and I have witnessed large mature spruce that lost needles and/or branches that never recovered needles even years later and they lived ok, but looked completely out of shape with balding where there was once branches. I also know that conifers do not keep their needles for life, they drop them and grow new ones each year but its not noticeable usually except that you see them on the ground. I fertilize this tree with Holly-tone every spring and fall. I would like to find the problem with this if its a disease that can be treated before it further spreads as I know spruce grow at a rapid pace and it may be too late to address the issue eventually. I've attached photos, thank you for any and all feedback.

I'm not sure why I never got any replies to my question over the last FOUR years since I posted it. Needless to say, my white Spruce is in no better condition since I last posted. It's about eight feet tall now and many of the branches have a yellowish brown tinge in the needles instead of the silvery blue that white spruce should have and a few areas have lost the needles altogether. I'm about to give up on this and cut it down and since this site has not been helpful at all, I'm short on answers right now.

Sorry you never got answers the first time. Who knows why. Then after some time goes by, the thread falls down in the list and isn't as likely to be seen, unless there are new posts to it.

Also sorry, I have no help.

NJDale said: I'm not sure why I never got any replies to my question over the last FOUR years since I posted it. Needless to say, my white Spruce is in no better condition since I last posted. It's about eight feet tall now and many of the branches have a yellowish brown tinge in the needles instead of the silvery blue that white spruce should have and a few areas have lost the needles altogether. I'm about to give up on this and cut it down and since this site has not been helpful at all, I'm short on answers right now.

My neighbours ever green trees had the same problem on his front lawn, it was to do with the depth of the soil that the roots couldn't go deep enough to get enough water, they do survive eventually once they've stopped growing.

JJ

NJDale, what shame you haven't found answers in four years, yet your question has been viewed more than 200 times! I don't have a suggestion, either, but perhaps we can get this moved to the tree forum where more knowledgeable people will see it.
@crawgarden

Personally, I would have been a little more proactive and found a certified arborist in my area who would be more familiar with local problems: soil, insects, water... After all, its been 4 years.

There is a saying out there somewhere about "...helps those who help themselves..."

I'm sorry that I didn't see this post way back when - I'd have offered these thoughts then.

That singular post was never followed up at all that year, even though it was posted early in the growing season, nor at any other point up until now. In fact, NJDale apparently didn't make any other posts AT ALL in the four years as a (free) member here on a FREE site.

I'm about to give up on this and cut it down and since this site has not been helpful at all, I'm short on answers right now.

I feel sad for the poor Picea glauca 'Pendula'. It is growing way outside its normal comfort zone - which is the upper tier of the US and most of Canada. Southern NJ is a day at the beach (zone 7?), and this species is probably feeling the long term effects of heat, humidity, and high soil temperatures. Meanwhile, it's owner is apparently plagued by loss of use of typing hands or computer malfunction, along with inability to perform other methods of research like consulting the local Cooperative Extension Service office, library, institutions of horticultural significance like Rutgers University, or a conifer collector club - all of which customarily and enthusiastically respond with reams of information and advice.

When I looked at the first picture, my immediate thought was that's textbook 'dog hiking its leg and hitting the spot' urine burn. That might still be accurate, but unless NJ houses some really tall dogs, that doesn't answer the additional malaise higher up on that 8' tall plant. There is likely mite activity, and potentially several different fungal organisms bent on making that spruce wish it was back in the Great White North. A thorough soil test can attest to whether there are available nutrient problems.

None of this criticism is meant to say this and other species cannot be grown in southern NJ. It is meant to indicate that a gardener needs to know more about "exotic to your area" plants, and be prepared to provide additional - and possibly extraordinary - care in order for that plant to thrive.

One final comment, which is probably too late to help but may help with future Caveat emptor: NJDale could tell us in what kind of condition (bare root, container, balled-and-burlapped) this plant came to this landscape. If a container grown specimen, an additional problem could have been encircling rootbound conditions which have exacerbated growing problems over time. Also, if this tree was planted too deeply with its crown/basal flair significantly below finished soil grade, this could also lead to deteriorating performance and increased susceptibility to all the previously mentioned plant problems. If the decision is made to terminate and edit this plant from the landscape, do yourself a favor and perform some forensics as the plant is dug out. Take lots of pictures to post to this thread - and help others avoid the consequences and have better success in their gardening efforts.

Here are links to additional information. The MBG, Rutgers, and Michigan State sites have on-target information that likely line up with this plant's problems.

https://www.missouribotanicalg...

https://plant-pest-advisory.ru...

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/...

https://extension.psu.edu/spru...

https://mortonarb.org/plant-an...