colorado blue spruce

Description:

This particular tree is in the worst condition of the 4, but the others are starting to show the same symptoms of a slight mite infestation. Description of illness : Signifigant loss of needles on lower west facing side of tree. Yellowing and bronzing of needles moving up to crown. Rusted/bronze patch high on east & west side of the tree as well. When shaken gently the branches with dying needles, will release very tiny orangish coloured bugs (spidermites), which can be seen clearly against a white piece paper. HISTree Asset # 10001003723 (there was no files regarding field assessment up to date)

Habitat:

The spruce is located in a partially mulched ground level bed, with adequate drainage, at the back of the newly built amphithetre. There is mainly grass surrounding the set of four spruce trees, with a small pond and cattails along the perimeter to the west of the tree set. There are no other large trees around this set, leaving them exposed to direct sunlight and other harsh elements.

Notes:

Diagnosis & Recommendation: It is common for these trees to have mites after experiencing a long hot summer. Which this past summer was indeed the case. So it is safe to assume that this tree and possible others in the group could have mites within their branches as well. -Natural Control such as high winds and extreme temperatures are ways of limiting their spread if the case is not too extreme or if it is already late in the season going into winter. -Also insecticide can be added to the tree such as, "diazinon, dicofol, or malathion". "Insecticides must be applied at high pressure so the spray penetrates the inner branches and webbing. A second application may be required two weeks after the initial spray."