Blue Spruce

Dear Stan,

We live in Lloydminster, AB. This past summer has been very dry and we are wondering if that is why our 20' Blue Spruce (15-20 years old, moved to our yard 1year ago in August) started turning brown (about 6 weeks ago) and losing some needles in spots. We sprayed with Diazinon after talking to the local greenhouse thinking at first it could be from bugs. That seemed to help for a while but now it seems to be getting worse. We have watered regularly although I admit when it was really hot we weren't as vigilante with watering. Should we be fertilizing it? Or watering even more? Will our tree come back or will we likely loose some branches? We also had a severe problem with little black bugs on our Rhubarb and honeysuckle. We sprayed the honesuckle with BugBeGone and just hosed off the rhubarb. Will these little critters have laid eggs and return next year? Should we be doing something else? As we are not always able to listen to your show on CHED, could you please respond via email?

Thank you very much for your time, we would love to hear from you.

Sincerely,

Peggy

Peggy - I am surprised that a 20 foot blue spruce would have even been moved. Unless the spade was more than a 72 inch, there would still be a good chance of deterioration over the following 3 years after the move. I would think the root system does not have enough vitality to begin the aggressive development necessary for new growth. All the watering and fertilizer may be in vein. Diazinon is the worst pesticide to use on newly planted or transplanted trees or shrubs. Thankfully it is being pulled from the domestic market. Contact the mover for their opinions. All plants have visitors at one time or another, some good, few bad. The healthiest plants are the ones less apt to be severely effected. Try the new to the market - Doktor Doom. Visit their web site for more info: www.doktordoom.com