Small Blue Spruce tree turning brown! (grown, trees, spring, south)

[usmcfamily]

Hi. I have a small blue spruce tree, about 2 feet high, that I planted in the fall. It is now completely brown. Am I correct assuming it is that way because of too much water? I planted it at the bottom of a slope and it looks like its in the path of the run off.

Is it too late to dig it up and move it to a dryer spot?

All the needles are intact, just all of them are now brown.

[azoria]

Sounds pretty dead.

Young trees can be hard to get started. Try again.

[si33]

Azoria is 100% correct, your spruce is most likely a total loss..but don't feel bad about loosing it..just next time you attempt one, make sure its planted in drier soil..Even established trees can drown if their spot somehow receives too much water for an extended period of time

In a spot where drainage might be a problem, choose something which won't mind the extra soggy-ness..

[Rtom45]

The problem isn't necessarily too much water. Since you just planted the tree last fall, it may not have survived the transplant. But typically once the needles on an evergreen turn brown, its done, kaput! A little more information on your location and yearly climate will allow others here to provide suggestions so you don't repeat your mistake.

[usmcfamily]

Originally Posted by Rtom45

The problem isn't necessarily too much water. Since you just planted the tree last fall, it may not have survived the transplant. But typically once the needles on an evergreen turn brown, its done, kaput! A little more information on your location and yearly climate will allow others here to provide suggestions so you don't repeat your mistake.

Thanks! I am in Southwest CT and my property is surrounded by trees, so a lot of shade. I planted this little tree where it would get sun but it's at the bottom of a small/medium slope where rain water runs off. I don't have too many more options for placement with a lot of sun on the property.

I will most likely have to pick something else to plant there. I have tons of deer that eat everything so I am slightly limited!

[coxbl]

I live in central IL. I have a row of spruce trees, various varieties. This year has been extremely wet. In the area where the trees are, I have noticed one in particular that is turning brown from the bottom up to the middle. From the middle to the top is ok. I have noticed, when it rains hard the water puddles in this area, as well as my neighbors sump-pump drains towards this area. He moves his hose, often. However, is a large spruce tree capable of handling the water. There are 5 in the same area, but only one seems to be stressed. They are three varieties and only this one seems affected. Is it the water, can it be saved. We have diverted the water now.

Also, noticed that one tree, 30 ft away - the top is dead - three feet. happened last year.

If it is the water issue, do I get my new neighbor to pay for the tree replacement?

[denverian]

Apparently Blue Spruces are difficult to grow. I planted one (about 5' tall)two Springs ago and it did great all through the Summer, fine through the winter, then died the following Spring in about a 2 week period. I have no clue what went wrong. I re-planted with a type of pine tree, same size, and it's doing great. Go figure! Unfortunately, I really like Spruces more.

[Elke Mariotti]

Very interesting thread. Here's my experience with blue spruces.

Years ago, I was in the habit of buying balled pine trees for Christmas and then planted them outside after the holidays. I live on Long Island and when I had a waterfront home, I discovered the only pine trees that would survive with the high salt water table, were... blue spruces! That house still has a row of (now large!) beautiful blue spruces--planted by me

In my current home (not anywhere near the water), the first Christmas I once again bought a balled blue spruce, placed it strategically and it seemed fine until the Fall, when it turned brown. I was heartbroken! Spring/Summer weren't much better, it looked like it either had died or was about to--no new growth
I couldn't get myself to dig it up yet and decided to wait it out till the following year. Well, it's grown several feet since then and is doing just fine

So maybe yours isn't really dead yet I hope!

[echofour]

The tops of my blue spruce trees have turned brown. There is new growth on it partially at the top and throughout the rest of the tree. Is there anything I can do to save it. Should I clip off the top?

[Elke Mariotti]

Originally Posted by echofour

The tops of my blue spruce trees have turned brown. There is new growth on it partially at the top and throughout the rest of the tree. Is there anything I can do to save it. Should I clip off the top?

If you clip off the top, you won't have a top--unless you take another tip of a branch and "train" it to go skyward so it turns into another top; be patient, and it'll happen. You'll need to bend it and fasten it, so it stays in place. You can check the following year if the brace can be removed.
Re clipping of the brown part, once cut, other parts of that branch will "branch out" but no more growth will come out of the cut end.

Update on mine:
It continues to grow (was 5 ft when planted and is now a good 12 ft+), but the bottom, where it was brown, is bare . No one's been able to offer a solution for that. As it continues to grow, I may just have to plant something in a circle around it .