The popularity of the tree in recent years is growing rapidly. This group of plants is perfect for landscaping, creating the necessary tier and microclimate on the site, and in a pot it can perfectly complement any interior. However, often, even with such an unpretentious plant, gardeners have many problems, among which the wilting of needles is considered the most common. The article examined in detail why the needles of firs can turn yellow and crumble, and also describes what may be the cause of this phenomenon.

Causes of drying spruce

Spruce trees are considered one of the most unpretentious plants; they are able to grow in almost any climatic conditions, as well as tolerate drought and severe frosts. However, even with such a plant undemanding to itself, various difficulties often arise. Often, artificial conditions do not always positively affect the tree, and in some cases it is very difficult to create separate parameters of the natural environment in closed conditions.

Did you know? The oldest spruce on the planet grows in Sweden, in the territory of the Fulufjellet National Park. The age of the tree, according to scientists, is about 1 thousand years.

Due to this, both green and blue spruce, all sorts of violations of the natural processes of life can occur, which leads to the shedding of spruce needles. There are many reasons for this. If the needles have fallen within a few weeks after planting a young seedling, the fault is usually poor-quality planting material. Not every seller monitors the storage conditions of plants, so a seedling with a dried root system is not uncommon.In addition, often the manufacturers of such seedlings resort to the use of all kinds of hormones and growth enhancers. They help to quickly obtain the goods for sale, but its viability in most cases remains in question, so it is almost impossible to save such plantings from death.

The needles of young seedlings can also dry and crumble during non-compliance with the conditions for planting conifers. These include both neglect of the timing and technology of the procedure, and the selected conditions for cultivation. This causes not only slow withering, but also reduces the immunity of the plant. If the needles began to dry and crumble after several seasons, it is necessary to evaluate the growth conditions of the plant and the surrounding microclimate.

Important! In some cases, falling of needles is a natural process that does not require intervention. Thus, during September-October, the tree gets rid of old needles before winter suspended animation.

In this case, the cause of the pathology may be:

• violation of the hydrological regime of the soil - the ground must necessarily be moderately moist, while spruce should be watered regularly and in small portions, sudden drying out and humidification are detrimental to the plant;
• lack of lighting - everyone ate photophilous, so they should grow in open, slightly darkened areas;
• nutrient deficiency in the substrate - yellowness and falling of the needles are the result of a lack of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, in this case, to save the plant, it is enough to introduce liquid solutions of mineral fertilizers containing these elements in the complex;
• oversupply - excess of permissible concentrations of mineral fertilizers can cause burns to the root system;
• animal excretion - urine and compounds dissolved in it are extremely fatal to plants, therefore walking animals near the Christmas trees is not recommended.

Video: needles dry and sprinkle on spruce

Spruce diseases and their treatment

All sorts of infections developing on the shoots and spruce trunk should be given special attention. In some cases, it is this problem that becomes the main cause of withering and shedding of needles. The developing microorganism feeds on the juice of young shoots, which certainly contributes to the inhibition of biochemical processes and cell division of affected tissues. In this case, falling of needles becomes the most striking symptom of infection and slow death of a tree.

Rust

Rust is considered one of the most serious infectious diseases that can be encountered when growing plants. It has no specificity, therefore it is widely and instantly distributed among all kinds of plant organisms. Rust is caused by a whole group of pathogenic fungi from the class Urediniomycetes, which affect both the needles and the bark of conifers. This ailment manifests itself in all kinds of spindle-shaped formations on the needle and bark of an orange or yellow-orange color.As the fungus develops, viscous mucous secretions appear near them. The Bordeaux mixture is considered the most effective drug for the treatment of pathology. Instead, the affected plant is sprayed with analogues: “Khom”, “Oksikhom”, “Abiga-Peak” or “Ordan”. If the disease manifests itself in hot weather (more than + 22 ° C), spraying with any complex fungicides based on sulfur compounds can also become effective.

Vertun

This pathology is a consequence of infection with the pathogenic fungus Melampsora pinitorqua. During the development of the microorganism, the tops of the affected shoots are covered with a coating of orange or yellow-orange. Over time, the diseased shoots bend, and their tip dries and dies, which leads to shedding of needles. Most common infection among young plants, trees older than 10 years are practically not infected.

To defeat this disease is not easy. Spores of the fungus are characterized by increased survival, therefore, they can be stored in fallen needles for several years. A 1% solution of Bordeaux fluid helps to cope with the disease best. As an alternative, you can use the drug "Polycarbacin" (1% solution).

Necrosis

By necrosis is meant putrefactive shoot damage caused by a variety of pathogenic fungi. There is no species-specificity for spruce in this disease, therefore, it can instantly spread to other species. The first signs of infection are a change in the shade of the bark and needles to a red color. Over time, the shoots become covered with small brown-black tubercles, however, the shoots may not dry up and die off immediately, the dried-up fallen material appears after a mass damage to the plant.

Did you know? Spruce is considered one of the oldest plants preserved to this day. According to archaeological artifacts, these trees grew on the planet back in the Oligocene era (33–23 million years ago).

There are no specific procedures to save the trees from this disease, it is enough to remove the affected shoots, and then dispose of them. Upon reaching the age of 15 years, the tree forms a stable immunity to fungal necrosis.

Crayfish

This term implies a whole complex of all kinds of infectious invasions, but quite often the spruce is affected by the so-called shoot cancer. This is a severe pathology caused by a specific fungus Ascocalyx abietina (Lagern.) Schlaepfer-Bernhard. During the parasitization of the microorganism, a slight reddening occurs at the base of the affected needles. Over time, the infection leads to the needles bending, forming a kind of "umbrella", and gradually falls off.

This disease is not treatable, because today there are no specific drugs that can eradicate the pathogen. It is possible to stop the development of pathology with the help of complex fungicides, however, such a tree will still dry slowly and eventually die, therefore it is recommended that the plant exposed to cancer be uprooted and disposed of with fallen needles.

Schütte

Schütte is a whole complex of various diseases caused by a wide group of specific fungi. Most often, this ailment affects young plants, under the age of 10 years, more mature trees form an immunity to it.

There are several forms of this infection:

The causative agents of shute are eliminated quite easily, for this it is enough to treat the diseased tree with any complex fungicide based on sulfur and copper compounds.

Video: Schütte disease

Fusarium

Fusarium infection is considered the most common infection in the plant world. Its causative agent is all kinds of fungi of the genus Fusarium. The first sign of the disease can be called a massive change in the color of the needles: with a saturated green color, they become red. Gradually, the needles begin to crumble, the crown becomes rare, and the shoots dry out.

Important! Spraying the tree should be carried out at least 2 times, with an interval of 14-20 days. Otherwise, the procedure will be ineffective.

Spruce should be saved as soon as possible after the detection of the disease. To do this, apply a high-quality antifungal agent. The most effective drugs among them are: Agat-25K, Fitosporin-M, Maxim, potassium humate and Fundazol.

Disease prevention

Painstaking and timely prevention of infections is the main condition that allows you to maintain decorative spruce and ensure its active growth. This is especially important in the first 10 years of growth, since during this period the immunity of the tree only forms.

To do this, you need to do just a few required procedures:

• the plant must be sprayed with complex fungicidal preparations at least 2 times per season (spring and autumn);
• observe agricultural techniques of planting, including not to thicken plants during mass planting;
• provide plantings with regular watering, top dressing and sanitary cleaning;
• use for planting only high-quality planting material, from proven distributors;
• at the end of the season, it is necessary to clean the area from fallen needles.

During the cultivation of conifers, the breeder encounters many difficulties, among which the most serious is the fall of needles. In addition to the deterioration of the aesthetic appearance, this phenomenon threatens the tree with withering and gradual death.

There are many reasons for this pathological process, but in order to avoid it, it is enough to strictly observe the technology of growing the tree, and also do not forget about periodic spraying with antifungal drugs.