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I have an Alberta Spruce which has some branches that are turning brown. It started this spring. Any idea what maybe happening to it? Janet

Answer

Hi Janet,
Dwarf Alberta Spruce is very sensitive to winter burn, drought stress as well as spider mites. All three of these conditions cause browning of the needles. If the spruce is in full sun, my guess would be spider mites. Dwarf Alberta Spruce prefer part shade/part sun conditions to grow in with a moist soil. When the soil and the environment is too hot and dry, the plant gets stressed. Once stressed, disease and insects settle in.

It's best to send a sample of the browned out area to the New Haven Agricultural Experiment Station-The Plant Disease Information Office. They will tell you precisely what is going on and how to treat it. Online the NHAES has all the information you will need to send a sample.

Good Luck.

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About Linda Lillie

Linda K. Lillie is the President of Sprigs & Twigs, Inc, the premier landscape design and maintenance, tree care, lawn care, stonework, and carpentry service provider in southeastern Connecticut since 1997. She is a graduate of Connecticut College in Botany, a Connecticut Master Gardener and a national award winning landscape designer for her landscape design and landscape installation work.

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