Cytospora Canker on Blue Spruce

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Aging spruce trees are vulnerable to this disease

By: Sandy Feather ©2008
Penn State Cooperative Extension

Q. Our children planted a Colorado blue spruce for us 30 years ago when they were in grade school.

Now the spruce seems to be slowly dying. Several lower branches have died, and this spring I see more branches that are affected.

We have a sentimental attachment to this tree and would like to save the tree. Can you tell me what is wrong with our blue spruce and what we can do to save it?

A. It sounds like your Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens 'Glauca') is suffering from cytospora canker. This fungal disease affects spruces (Picea spp.), hemlocks (Tsuga spp.), firs (Abies spp.) and larches (Larix spp.). Unfortunately, it is most severe on Norway (Picea abies) and Colorado spruces.

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