Spruce Trees

Question: Spruce trees are dying at the bottom.  All sixteen of them. Area is Lincoln Michigan. We planted the tress between 2020 and 2022. We bought from a tree farm.

responder: Thank you for your question!   Laura S.      Michigan State University Extension Advanced Master Gardener Volunteer You may also contact the toll free MSU Extension lawn and garden hotline at 1-888-678-3464 with your gardening questions or visit www.migarden.msu.edu for Smart Gardening resources. Replied April 21, 2023, 4:42 PM EDT
response: Hello Molly, Before sending this to our tree expert, would you please tell us: How much water you apply each week, and how( hose, sprinkler etc?) Did you apply any herbicides or fertilizers to the trees or to the surrounding lawn- what products and when, last season and this season. This will greatly help us assist you. I will watch for your reply. (I apologize for not including the request originally when I asked for the pictures, earlier) Thank you! Laura S.

responder: Julie Crick  Replied April 24, 2023, 8:28 AM EDT
response: Hi Molly, Were the affected areas under snow for the winter? Was it snow mixed with salt from the road? If that was the case, the salt might have negatively affected the bottom portion of the trees.  Spruce can also be infected with needlecast, which is a fungal disease that infects the lower needles on a spruce tree causing them to turn brown and fall off. While this doesn't look like classic needlecast, perhaps that is affecting the tree?  https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/rhizosphaera-needle-cast More pictures might help me make a more definitive statement.  You may also choose to call Russell Williams, the Conservation District forester to come out and take a look? He's a rather season forester and may be able to diagnose issues with yard trees.  Russell Williams' contact information is at this website: http://www.alconaconservation.org/contact-us.html Thank you, -Julie

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 24, 2023, 10:40 AM EDT
response: Julie:  Many thanks for the thorough response.  I will turn to Russell Williams’ and then get back to you.  Molly Hamilton   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension Sent: Monday, April 24, 2023 8:28 AM To: Molly Hamilton <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Spruce Trees (#0096531)     CAUTION - EXTERNAL:

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 25, 2023, 2:10 PM EDT
response: Julie:  Russell reached out this morning and is going to drop by to take a look.  Molly    From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension Sent: Monday, April 24, 2023 8:28 AM To: Molly Hamilton <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Spruce Trees (#0096531)     CAUTION - EXTERNAL:

responder: Julie Crick  Replied April 27, 2023, 9:22 AM EDT
response: Excellent! He'll know what to recommend.   Thank you, -Julie

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 03, 2023, 3:34 PM EDT
response: From: Molly Hamilton <<personal data hidden>>  Sent: Wednesday, May 3, 2023 2:46 PM To: Molly Hamilton <<personal data hidden>> Subject: RE: Spruce Trees (#0096531)     Russell thinks its classic deer grazing, but that the trees are growing on top.    Should I trim the bottom branches back to the trunk?  Anything else I can do?  What kind of trees would you say are the most deer resistant?     From: Molly Hamilton  Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2023 2:05 PM To: 'Ask Extension' <<personal data hidden>> Subject: RE: Spruce Trees (#0096531)     Julie:  Russell reached out this morning and is going to drop by to take a look.  Molly    From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension Sent: Monday, April 24, 2023 8:28 AM To: Molly Hamilton <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Spruce Trees (#0096531)     CAUTION - EXTERNAL:

responder: Julie Crick  Replied May 03, 2023, 3:43 PM EDT
response: Hi Molly, Yes, prune the lower branches back to the trunk. There is a proper way to prune to ensure the tree has the ability to seal (not heal) over the wound. The link below has simple instructions: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev7_016046.pdf Instruction on pruning cuts begins on page 6.  I normally recommend spruce as being fairly deer resistant! And the idea of these trees having been browsed/grazed didn't even occur to me. Due to the high deer population in your area, there may not be deer resistant trees? That said, eastern red cedar, or juniper is very prickly and are rarely browsed by deer. An issue called called "cedar apple gall" can occur on apple and cedar trees planted in close proximity to one another. So, if you or the neighbors have apples, eastern red cedar may not be the best choice.  https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/gymnosporangium_juniperi-virginianae.shtml  You may choose to erect wire cages to protect the trees from browse? Or just allow the spruce to grow despite the browse.  Deer will eat nearly anything when there are too many in a given area, so avoiding browse will be tough; and there is no silver bullet. Thank you, -Julie

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 03, 2023, 3:51 PM EDT
response: Julie:  The truth hurts sometimes…. Thank you!  I will prune them.  I will not give up on these trees!  Molly   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension Sent: Wednesday, May 3, 2023 3:43 PM To: Molly Hamilton <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Spruce Trees (#0096531)     CAUTION - EXTERNAL:

responder: Julie Crick  Replied May 03, 2023, 3:54 PM EDT
response: The same goes for the trees in my yard....sometimes I think I'm growing cages for fun!! Those trees are worth the fuss. And will serve you well.  Take care, Molly! -Julie