Hello friends! Today I will tell you about the problems that can lead to the loss of Dwarf Alberta Spruce.
1. Winter sunburn
Dwarf Alberta Spruce needs plenty of sunlight to develop properly. However, winter and early spring sun can seriously damage it to the point that it may die.
In winter, when the ground is frozen, there can be sunny days. If a dry, frosty wind blows during this time, the needles will dry out quickly because insufficient water is inside the plant.
If such conditions persist for a long time, Dwarf Alberta Spruce can lose all its needles and die.
To fix the problem, wrap the spruce with burlap or a frost blanket. When warmth arrives, remove the protection.
2. Pests
Another common cause of Dwarf Alberta Spruce’s death is pests. There are a number of creatures that can severely damage spruce, but one of the most dangerous is spider mites.
The danger of these pests is that they are very small and difficult to detect. The presence of mites on spruce becomes noticeable when a large part of the crown is already infested.
The main symptom of mites is discoloration of the needles, which turn brown and fall off. Usually, they spread gradually, first affecting one branch and then neighboring branches.
To get rid of spider mites, spray the needles with a mite insecticide. Repeat the spraying in a week.
3. Fungal diseases
Because of the dense crown, Dwarf Alberta Spruce is highly susceptible to various diseases. In addition, if weather is wet for a long time, it can lead to serious problems.
At first, grey mold or black spots will appear on the needles. Then needles will change color to brown and fall off. This often happens in the spring. Young growths are most susceptible to fungal disease.
To avoid this, give your spruce at least four hours of direct sun a day. There should be good air exchange around the crown.
If the disease has hit the tree, spray it with an aqueous solution of copper-containing fungicide. Repeat the spraying after a while.
4. Root rot
The roots will soften if the soil around the roots remains wet for a long time. Soft roots get rot very fast. As a result, the needles become discolored and fall off.
The first thing to do in this case is to eliminate the cause of overwatering. If you have watered too often, stop doing it and only water when the soil is about 2 inches dry.
If the cause of overwatering is water flow from some source, move it as far away from the spruce as possible.
You cannot do anything else, so you have to wait. If the damage is not extensive, the tree will recover after a while.
5. Transplant shock
Sometimes, it happens that a newly planted Dwarf Alberta Spruce loses its needles and dies.
Repotting is quite a difficult ordeal for any tree because the root system is certainly damaged during it. As a result, the tree cannot deliver water to the needles in the right amount and at the right speed.
To reduce transplant shock, plant or transplant Dwarf Alberta Spruce only in early spring on a cloudy and humid day. Water it well a few days beforehand and after planting.
When planting, try to damage the roots as little as possible. Then place the shade over the tree for several weeks or even months.
Water the newly planted spruce as soon as one inch of soil is dry. Mulch the soil with pine bark to prevent the soil from drying out quickly.
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