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Picea pungens 'Hoopsii'
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Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Thu, Nov 19, 09 at 13:32
| will it die????
what is it
do i need to take out the leader now???
ken
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Picea pungens 'Hoopsii'
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i had a picea pungens do this this sept. arborist said it was no pest. i cut out the dead and it stopped dying back.
mindy |
RE: Picea pungens 'Hoopsii'
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| Ken- I'd cut out the die back and not worry about it...It looks as though there are a couple of other shoots that could take over as leader... I've had that happen on a bunch of seedlings I've planted along the property line...I have some theories as to why it happens....I had one lose over 1/2 of it's needles last fall, but it came back good and strong this spring...Of course it was only 12" tall to begin with...But most have survived... Eliot I've got a really nice one I'll make you a good deal on if your's doesn't make it! LOL... ;-)~ |
RE: Picea pungens 'Hoopsii'
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| did i give it to you???? i am a 'collector' .. by definition.. i want one of everything ....but ... and there is always a big but .... i have two of these .... so there is a fail safe ... no shortage of duplicate blues in my yard.. the color is so unique in the garden .... a piece of sky sitting in a green lawn.. to die for .... thanks for the offer ... ken |
RE: Picea pungens 'Hoopsii'
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Ken,
I have many types of spruces here in Maine and I would say that this is a clear case of spruce budworm. Just cut off the dead part of the tree and you will not even notice it in a couple of years.
It is a crapshoot on getting this problem on a tree. I have had a "Skylands" spruce do this to me 2-3 times and then not again for years at a time. My "Hoopsii's" have not been hit but they seem to enjoy "Fat Alberts" and at times, "Hillside".
Most books will tell you to hit the top part of your spruces with Sevin in the early spring and you will not have this problem as that is when the bug is on the move to the newer growth and fresh sap.
GoodLuck. |
RE: Picea pungens 'Hoopsii'
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| so if i get it out of there .. and slice it up the wood.. i will find a tunnel to confirm???? based on the fact that it already is sending up new leaders .... i suspect it happened in early spring.. which would agree with your thoughts ... no chems here... used to be a real chem warrior.. when i kids came along.. i stopped... whatever happens happens .... the kids a freaking weird enough without chemical exposure .... thx
ken |
RE: Picea pungens 'Hoopsii'
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The spruce budworms notoriously eat the sap on the new growth near the tops of trees. The new growth is so susceptible to be injured in this way, that many of the tops die like your has. Pruning off the dead areas will suffice and a new top will take over. You will just find dried up, dead wood and no other signs.
This pest seems to have years when it is widespread and other years when it is not so much. Last year(2008), I had two trees with this problem and this past year no problems at all.
I only use the chemical on the tops of these trees and only on the very new growth in early spring. Also, only on my most prized trees that I would like not to have this happen to.
Blue spruce varieties do seem to be the favored landing spot for this pest but do not seem to kill any trees in the process. They just damage the top and move on to likely become a moth. |
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