How do you treat a needle cast disease on a spruce tree?
Management & Treatment Options
- Prune out severely affected branches.
- Rake up and dispose of fallen needles.
- Begin treatment with a registered fungicide in spring at half-needle elongation.
- Deep root water during periods of drought.
- Fertilize with Arbor Green PRO to invigorate plant growth.
Can spruce trees recover from needle cast?
The tree becomes unattractive and may look as though it is dying, but don’t despair. Rhizosphaera and Stigmina, the two most common needle cast diseases of spruce trees, are treatable. You can have your tree looking lush and beautiful again within a few years by following a program of needle cast treatment.
Does Norway spruce get needle cast?
Among the spruce species, Colorado Blue spruce and white spruce are susceptible, while Norway spruce is relatively resistant to the diseases. Resistant species: Planting resistant species is a very effective and economic way to prevent needle cast diseases in the areas where these diseases are problematic.
How do you get rid of Rhizosphaera needle cast?
Fungicides with the active ingredient chlorothalonil, copper hydroxide or mancozeb will protect new spruce needles from infection by Rhizosphaera.
- Make one application in spring or early summer when the new needles have grown to half their mature length.
- Make a second application 3 to 4 weeks later.
How do you fix a needle cast?
Consider treating affected trees with fungicides containing copper as the active ingredient (e.g., Bordeaux mixture) or chlorothalonil. Treatments will not cure existing infections, but can prevent additional infections. Apply treatments every three to four weeks starting as new needles emerge in the spring.
How do you treat a Rhizosphaera needle cast?
What trees are affected by needle cast?
Needle cast diseases are caused by various fungi that infect the new needles on pines, spruce, Douglas fir, and true fir. Although the needles become infected, symptoms of the disease often are not visible until the following winter or spring season.
How do I get rid of Rhizosphaera?
How do I save a tree or shrub with Rhizosphaera needle cast? Consider treating affected trees with fungicides containing copper as the active ingredient (e.g., Bordeaux mixture) or chlorothalonil. Treatments will not cure existing infections, but can prevent additional infections.
What is the most disease resistant spruce tree?
Norway spruce (P. abies) is highly resistant to this disease. Some Colorado blue spruce cultivars, like ‘Hoopsii,’ and ‘Fat Albert’ are reportedly more resistant to the disease.