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2 years ago I had a 7' Norway Spruce put in and it has never given me much trouble. A few weeks to a month ago, I noticed that the very tip of the tree was turning brown and starting to die. The browning is slowly creeping lower and lower.

It hasn't been particularly hot or dry here yet this summer and I didn't notice any signs of bugs or fungus, but it may be that I just don't know what to look for. There are two other Norway Spruce to either side about 6 feet apart that are doing fantastically so I'm a bit at a loss.

Other than upping the watering (I've been soaking 2-3 times a week, but there doesn't seem to be any improvement), what can I try or look for? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Norway spruce with browning tip

EDIT: Adding more pictures

Healthy tree in blue, unhealthy tree in red Big picture of where trees are situated

VividD
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Ryan
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2 Answers2

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What I am seeing looks like it could be just normal die back. That one branch that was broken the tree has decided is not going to be a big producer. I only see a bit more of browning.

Have you looked closely to see if there are mites (very very tiny insects or wooly adedgid, looks like soap suds)?

Is there another tree in the picture behind this tree? So the tip was broken and is now dying back?

Forget about overdoing the watering. We need to understand the differences between this tree and your others. Like how close is this tree to the one in back. What fertilizer have you used? Insects...look on the underside of leaves and the lowest leaves of the tree.

Please send a picture of the whole environment standing back with your trees in relation to each other.

Where is it you live? This could possibly be a disease you do not want near any other plants. Obviously if it is phytophthora the spores are already in the soil. Healthy plants can resist this fungus...like disease for awhile. Here is a link for just one possible disease other than having natural dieback.

phytophthora As you can see excess water is not at all a good thing. There are a few others but like I said this might be normal.

stormy
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Borers do damage exactly like that in certain pine trees . The borers are inside so you can't see them ; cut off the dead parts and look for tunnels.

blacksmith37
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