Oct 1, 2019

Blue Spruce & Needle Cast

One of the most glaring home landscape issues in the Midwest is the prevalence of declining and dead Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens). The causal agent of the disease (needle cast) is several species of a fungus (Rhizosphaera)--other species, especially White Spruce (P. glauca), Oriental Spruce (P. orientalis), also are susceptible. The characteristic needle death and loss will start at the bottom, within the canopy, on the north as well as any shaded portions. There was

Rant of the Month

Unfortunately, most people know very little about plants and gardening, including many "professionals" employed to design, choose, install and maintain landscapes. This page spotlights specific issues with commentary on remedy or recommendation for course of action. Examples are numerous and easy to find, rarely requiring me to travel far from home. Hopefully, these postings will make the task more difficult. I also feature seasonally appropriate topics and focus on species and issues to help educate.

I schedule the new rant to post at one minute after midnight on the first day of each month.

Rant of the Month

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