Brown needles on a spruce are always a warning signal; the tree is clearly not feeling well. In the best case scenario, the spruce just needs a little water, but in the worst case scenario, it is in serious danger.
What are the causes of brown needles on a spruce?
Brown needles on a spruce tree can be caused by lack of water, lack of nutrients, pests (Sitka spruce aphids, pine mealybugs), unfavorable soil pH, road s alt or frost damage. Simple solutions include abundant watering and fertilizing as well as pest control or s alt removal.
Why do the needles turn brown?
The first steps to take when dealing with brown needles on the spruce should be to determine the pH value in the soil. If the soil is not ideal, it will be difficult for the tree to recover. It is also easy prey for pests and/or various diseases.
Be sure to check your spruce for pest infestation so that you can combat them quickly in an emergency. If the tree is near a road, then damage from road s alt should also be considered. It should under no circumstances be used in the direct root area of a spruce. A spruce tree in a pot can even freeze to death without winter protection, although the spruce tree generally tolerates frost well.
Can my spruce still be saved?
Water and/or nutrient deficiencies can be easily remedied by abundant watering or appropriate fertilizer. The Sitka spruce louse (€9.00 at Amazon) can be combated quite well with rapeseed oil preparations, as can the pine mealybug. However, the treatment may have to be repeated several times. If your spruce tree has suffered from sprinkling s alt, then it needs to be watered thoroughly. This will flush the s alt out of the ground as best as you can.
Possible reasons for brown needles:
- Water shortage due to long dry period
- Nutrient Deficiency
- Infestation with the Sitka spruce louse or pine mealybugs
- unfavorable pH value of the soil
- Sprinkling s alt
- Frost Damage
Can I prevent brown needles?
The best prevention against discoloration of the needles is good care in the right location. To be he althy and resilient, the spruce needs a sunny or partially shaded place with slightly moist, well-drained soil. A spruce tree in a pot should be well protected from frost in winter.
Tip
A spruce tree can die of thirst even in frost. When the ground is dry and the sun is shining, more moisture evaporates than the spruce can absorb from the frozen ground.
