Landscaping - Dwarf Alberta Spruce problem
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kgbamb
04-28-06, 07:18 PM
Last fall we had to move a healthy Dwarf Spruce from one area of our home to another due to some waterproofing work done on the foundation of the home. The tree now is losing all of its needles and there is very little green left on the tree. Is there something we can do to save the tree? Fertilize, spray, additional H2O? We would like to save rather than replace because the tree was a gift from a now deceased relative. We live in Ohio.
Thanks
Thanks
larchy
04-29-06, 12:20 PM
when transplanting a tree, a number of things can go wrong which may be the cause of the loss of needles on the tree. the number one cause of it may be transplanting shock. some trees do not take well to being transplanted. as a general rule of thumb, it is always smart to prune the tree after transplanting. when pruning, you never want to take more than 1/3 off the tree at a time. by pruning you help the tree conserve energy to help heal itself from the shock.
for now, im assuming you have a lot of dead wood on the tree. pruning dead wood off will help the tree produce more needles. it may look ugly for a while, but with time it will improve. making sure it gets enough sunlight and water can help immensly as well.
hope all goes well
for now, im assuming you have a lot of dead wood on the tree. pruning dead wood off will help the tree produce more needles. it may look ugly for a while, but with time it will improve. making sure it gets enough sunlight and water can help immensly as well.
hope all goes well
kgbamb
04-29-06, 04:51 PM
Larchy,
Thanks, we will prune the tree in an attempt to save it. We have moved it to a southwestern exposure for sunlight and it will look good in that location(if it lives). No recommendations on fertilizing or anything else which may help?
kgbamb
Thanks, we will prune the tree in an attempt to save it. We have moved it to a southwestern exposure for sunlight and it will look good in that location(if it lives). No recommendations on fertilizing or anything else which may help?
kgbamb
greensboro_man
04-30-06, 05:35 PM
It is probable that after transplanting your dwarf alberta spruce,and the resulting loss of feeder roots, that your plant didn't recieve adaquite water to support it's green mass.
It is imperative that if you have any viable green needles left at the limb tips that you DO NOT cut any of it away. Conifers will not generate growth from bare limbs as other plants will do.
Make sure your plant is located in a hot sunny location, feed it with a liquid fertilizer such as Miracle Gro or equiv. Pour the recommended amount over the top of you sick plant and soak the soil also. Allow the soil to dry between waterings.
If you have any live green needles at the limb tips you have a chance, otherwise the outlook is grim. I very much hope that your plant recovers.
38 years in the business and still leaning, Greensboro_man
It is imperative that if you have any viable green needles left at the limb tips that you DO NOT cut any of it away. Conifers will not generate growth from bare limbs as other plants will do.
Make sure your plant is located in a hot sunny location, feed it with a liquid fertilizer such as Miracle Gro or equiv. Pour the recommended amount over the top of you sick plant and soak the soil also. Allow the soil to dry between waterings.
If you have any live green needles at the limb tips you have a chance, otherwise the outlook is grim. I very much hope that your plant recovers.
38 years in the business and still leaning, Greensboro_man