Hello friends! Today I will tell you about the cases when Dwarf Alberta Spruce loses its needles and what to do about it.
1. Winter burn
Very often, Dwarf Alberta Spruce loses its needles during the winter. This can happen when there is a strong frosty wind or when the sun is shining brightly but it is still freezing. Usually, the southern side of the spruce is the most affected.
To avoid such a situation, you need to wrap the spruce with a frosty blanket for the winter. This will reduce the impact of the weather on it and the needles will not fall off.
2. Root rot
The next cause of needle loss is root rot. In most cases, root rot is caused by overwatering. If it is too wet around the roots, they will soften and rot more easily.
Sick roots are not able to supply water properly and the tree gradually begins to drop its needles.
The first thing to do to remedy the situation is to stop watering too often. Water the spruce when the soil is 2 inches dry.
If the spruce still has green needles, shade it for 1-2 months. Very often the tree can recover from root rot on its own, although it may take several years.
3. Spider mites
Spider mites are sucking pests that settle on the needles and suck the juices out of them. The first sign of a mite is a change in the color of the needles. Then the needles turn brown and fall off.
Take a closer look at the Dwarf Alberta Spruce with a magnifying glass. If you see cobwebs between the needles and small creatures, they are spider mites.
Wash them off with a stream of water from the hose. Then spray the spruce with a water solution of horticultural oil. Repeat this several times.
4. Dehydration
Lack of water can also cause the needles to fall off. Newly planted spruces are most susceptible to this because their root system is underdeveloped.
For the first two years, water the spruce after the soil has dried 1 to 2 inches. Use at least 1 gallon of water.
Be sure to mulch the surface with pine bark. This will prevent the soil from drying out quickly.
5. Transplant shock
Very often, spruce trees lose their needles after transplanting due to neglect of the transplanting rules.
To avoid transplant shock, move the spruce only in early spring or fall. Avoid digging it up in dry and sunny weather. Instead, give preference to a cloudy day.
Water the spruce well a few days before transplanting. Dig up the Dwarf Alberta Spruce very carefully, avoiding damaging the root system. Avoid burying the trunk in the ground.
After planting, shade the spruce for several weeks or even months. This is especially true for the summer months.
In the first year after planting, do not let the soil dry out more than 1 inch. Mulch the spruce with organic matter.
6. Heat
Extreme heat can cause the needles to burn and fall off. This is especially true for potted spruce trees. The southern side of the crown is most affected.
To remedy the situation, water the spruce with 1-2 gallons of water and provide it with shade during the heat.
In general, the best sunny exposure for Dwarf Alberta Spruce is the direct sun in the first half of the day.
7. Fungal disease
Fungal diseases can damage the needles to the point where they fall off. This usually happens in wet weather during prolonged rains.
If this happens to your spruce, spray it with a copper fungicide. Repeat the spraying after 2 weeks.
To prevent fungal diseases in the future, spray the spruce with a fungicide at least once a year. Also ensure good air exchange around the crown.
8. Aging
The fact is that when the time comes for the old needles to fall off, they are inside the crown and are hidden by the young needles outside the crown.
The loss of old needles does not affect the appearance of the tree. The only thing you may notice is a lot of dry needles under the tree.
This is a natural process and nothing to be afraid of. I recommend cleaning out those old needles that are still inside the crown as this will have a good effect on the health of the spruce.
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