bird's nest spruce getting brown needles in center - PIX

10 years ago

We have four bird's nest spruce lined up in front of our bay window. Planted them about 8-10 years ago. Have been doing beautifully until this year. Showing brown, "dead looking" needles and branches in the center. Is this a sign of mites or would it have anything to do with this last mild rather snowless winter and dry spring? Or should it be fertilized?

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Comments (10)

Lauril Rohde
Original Author
10 years ago
Thought this might be helpful. Shows all of the bird's nest in front of the bay window.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
well???

others might argue.. but frankly.. in my experience.. and dad has had them around forever....

if it wasnt bald in the middle... it wouldnt be called a nest ... lol

and its a function of maturity .. as it expands out.. its natural inclination ... it leaves the middle bare ...

wait until lit fully flushes out .. snip out any totally dead nubs .... and try to convince yourself.. it looks cool that way ...

and if you cant deal with it.. time for them to go ...

i wonder if they are in full sun.. that close to the house .. and if not.. that might be a complicating factor ...

i do NOT believe it is bug nor disease ...and besides the cleanup.. there is nothing you can do about it ... other than divest....

ken
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Lauril Rohde
Original Author
10 years ago
Not in full sun, so that may be a problem. Thanks for the input.
ogcon
10 years ago
I see a lot of mulch and /or top-dressing.If this stuff is in
contact with the mainstem of the plant its not good.I've seen defoliation like yours when these products are blown in by machine and the homeowner neglects to pull material away from the trunk and expose the root-top to air.Doug
botann
10 years ago
It might not be in full sun all the time , but when it is it looks like it gets a lot of reflected light. that can't be good after being in the shade for a lot of the day.
I have a few and they seem to take moderate shade quite well.
North is to the left.
Mike.
Embothrium
10 years ago
Yes: not normal for there to be all that dead foliage visible. Flat habit would be basis for "nest".
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
10 years ago
Not normal. Could be mites, but the location is consistent with all the plants and mites would tend to be more random, another insect might prefer that central location and older needles. Is there anything dripping from above?

tj
Lauril Rohde
Original Author
10 years ago
Yes, there is dripping from rain and ice every summer and winter. HMMM - maybe that's it. Thanks for the idea.
botann
10 years ago
Looks like that might be it.
I would never have thought of that. Gutters are pretty universal here.
Mike
Lauril Rohde
Original Author
10 years ago
I was wrong about the gutter possibility. My husband said we had the bird's nest at another house in New York state and it was not affected at all by dripping from rain or ice.