How do you keep a blue spruce healthy?

Light and Water Needs. Colorado blue spruce thrives in full sun but also grows in partial shade. Once established, the tree needs a medium amount of water, with a deep soaking every two or three weeks. Even though the tree likes the soil to remain moist, especially while it’s still young, it’s also tolerant of drought.

How often should I water my Colorado blue spruce?

Although Colorado blue spruce is more drought tolerant than other spruces, it does need consistent water (from rain or irrigation) to thrive. Water regularly during the first season or two while the tree roots are getting established, then as needed during dry periods.

What is the best fertilizer for Colorado blue spruce trees?

Slow-release granular fertilizer is the best choice and should be used near the root zone. To prevent burning from the fertilizer, you want to add two inches of water around the trunk. These spruce trees do not need to be pruned. However, you can prune to promote a denser foliage.

What is killing Colorado blue spruce?

By far the most common complaint of cultivated blue spruces is needle cast disease, mostly that caused by the fungus Rhizospaera kalkhoffii. It infects young needles and overwinters on living or recently killed foliage. During the growing season, the spores spread to other branches, or other trees, by splashing water.

Can you overwater a spruce tree?

Watering spruce trees is tricky. Over watering causes branches to turn brown, starting at the bottom. If the soil is heavy, such as clay, ensure that trees do not stand in water. If the roots are choked of oxygen, fungal disease attacks the tree, or it creates a shallow root system, allowing the tree to easily topple.

Do blue spruce need full sun?

Blue Wonder spruce care is not difficult. This is a tree that will tolerate road salt and poor soil. It prefers full sun, but will grow well in partial shade too. When you plant a Blue Wonder spruce, find a space that will work for it considering that it grows slowly and compactly, maintaining its conical shape.

How do you treat a sick blue spruce?

Control – If symptoms appear, diseased trees should be sprayed with a fungicide in the last 2 weeks of May and again 4 to 6 weeks later. Be sure to read the product label for specific rate and timing instructions. Good coverage and proper timing of applications are critical for successful disease control.

Should you trim the bottom of a blue spruce?

Spruce, fir, and whorl-branched trees and shrubs that have short, sharp needles can be trimmed all the way back to a lateral branch or dormant bud; dead bottom branches should be removed. Though you can hold off a little longer with these trees, it’s best to cut in cold weather so that they “bleed” less sap.

How do you revive a dying blue spruce?

The following will help you manage needlecast:
  1. Prune away dead branches, twigs, and infected areas of the tree.
  2. Remove fallen foliage and destroy it (burn it). …
  3. Apply a fungicide to the tree after removing signs of the infection.
  4. Deep water the tree once per week to help it recover from the stress.

Can a dying blue spruce be saved?

When you detect some of the symptoms early, you can sometimes save your spruce trees. However, you need professional help to treat some of the diseases that kill spruce trees. On the other hand, if the trees can’t be saved, you can replace them with a different kind.

Is Epsom salt good for blue spruce?

Horticultural researchers argue that Epsom salt will only help plants that are suffering from deficiencies of magnesium and sulfur, the minerals in Epsom salt. It can be used on evergreens in moderation, but may not improve the health or appearance of the plants if they are not deficient in magnesium or sulfur.

When Should I spray my blue spruce?

It is important to protect new growth as it emerges no matter which fungicide you apply; fungicides should be applied when the new needles are half elongated (late April or early May) and again three to four weeks later, possibly with a third application if wet weather or growth persists.

Why are the tips of my blue spruce trees turning brown?

If this is what you’re seeing, your blue spruce tree is likely suffering from needle cast disease. Once these needles turn brown, yellow, or red, they will likely begin to shed. Many homeowners that are experiencing needle cast will often describe their blue spruce as looking burned.

How do I make my blue spruce more blue?

In general, positioning your blue spruce in full sun exposure can help the tree appear more blue. More sun allows for more photosynthesis to occur, making the blue spruce pigments more concentrated. Additives like fertilizers can also increase the hue of your blue spruce.

Why is my Colorado blue spruce losing its needles?

Needle Cast Disease

The Colorado Blue Spruce often loses its rigid needles after wet seasons. The Rhizosphaera fungus, which thrives in the wet conditions, leads to the needle loss as it takes hold of the spruce.

Why is my blue spruce orange?

Over the last month or so, many homeowners have noticed their spruce trees turning tan or orange. The cause is two types of spruce needle rust fungi, Chrysomyxa ledi and Chrysomyxa ledicola. … The rust is most common on blue spruce but can also infect white and black spruce.

Are coffee grounds good for blue spruce trees?

Yes, coffee grounds can be used as a fertilizer and organic materials source for plants.

What is the difference between a blue spruce and a Colorado blue spruce?

Blue spruce belongs to the species Picea pungens and is common in North America. It is also called Colorado spruce. Norway spruce belongs to the species Picea abies. It is native to Northern Europe and can also be found in the central and eastern parts of the continent.

Can a blue spruce be green?

When it comes to blue-green needles, some people identify the color as blue and some call it green. What you call greening in blue spruce may actually be the tree’s natural blue-green hue.

Is Miracle-Gro good for evergreens?

Miracle-Gro® also has tree spikes specially formulated for evergreens and fruit and citrus trees. With all of these plant foods, you’ll find the directions on the package label—so be sure to follow them!

Is Miracle Grow good for blue spruce trees?

Fertilizing: We recommend you fertilize all your shrubs, evergreens, trees, groundcover, and perennials once every 3 weeks. This should be done during the months of April, May, June, July, and August. We suggest you use Miracle-Gro, a water-soluble fertilizer, or Milorganite, a granular fertilizer.

What is the best fertilizer for spruce trees?

Spruce trees do not have very high phosphorous needs and benefit most form an acidic fertilizer designed for evergreens or a high-nitrogen fertilizer with a formula like 12-6-4 or 10-8-6. Organic fertilizer options include compost, fish emulsion, cottonseed meal and alfalfa meal.