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By Jeff Burbrink
Extension Educator — Ag and Natural Resources

INDIANA — Last week, I wrote about the numerous ailments affecting blue spruce across the Midwest, and how they are no longer recommended as a yard tree in our region.  I had a surprisingly large response to that article,

Jeff Burbrink

and thought I should address some of these questions this week.

Can I spray something to protect my spruces?

There are fungicides labeled to spray spruces, but these are really not very practical.  Fungicides are protectants, they are not cure to fix the issue.  Spraying cannot turn trees around that are already diseased.  Even using those products on spruce that are not sick is probably questionable, because the diseases thrive in humid and wet conditions (think Indiana spring and summer weather), and no one I know has the money nor the time nor the drive to spray the trees from top to bottom, all season long, for years and years and years. 

What about Alberta Spruce? Will they get sick too?

Alberta Spruce.

Great question!  First, a little background on Alberta Spruce.  Genetically, Alberta Spruce is nearly identical to white spruce, so anything that ails white spruce can also affect the Alberta, and as I said last week, white spruces are mildly susceptible to the same issues as the blue spruces. The genetic anomaly that makes Alberta Spruce more compact, slower growing, shorter needled, and a lighter green color will not protect it from the diseases and insects like spider mites that commonly attack the spruces.

A fascinating side bar on Alberta Spruce: on occasion, you will see a branch or two on Alberta Spruce revert back to its roots, and grow a normal looking white spruce branch.  When Dwarf Alberta Spruce send off one of these “Frankenstein limbs”, it typically causes people to worry.  Since the plant owner expected a compact plant, and likely planted it in an appropriate space, it can become a real problem.  If this occurs to your Alberta, a quick pruning cut just below the odd-looking limb can often remedy the problem.   However, some individual plants may keep reverting and must be removed if you aren’t interested in the “normal” growth habit for white spruce.

What are good alternatives to blue spruce?

Michigan State has a good handout on alternatives to blue spruce available here. Their list includes commonly found nursery trees like concolor fir, Norway spruce, Serbian spruce and arborvitae, as well as lesser-known species like Korean fir, Alaskan cypress and Swiss Stone Pine.  The key thing is to select a tree that fits your soils and space requirements.  Some of these trees get quite large and are picky about their location.