Alberta (dwarf) Spruce brown spot cure?

Fuddyduddy1952 · 2025-09-11T19:53:23-0400

I have islands I planted in the yard with a variety of trees, flowers & bushes and most I planted a Dwarf Alberta Spruce tree. I planted when they were about a foot tall and water when no rain especially first 2 years.
The most recent one has this dead/brown area at base. Others (3 to 9 ft tall) are doing fine.
Any ideas what I can do are appreciated.

Midniteoyl · 2025-09-11T19:56:38-0400

Last time I had this on my full grown Spruces it was Spider Mites. This is in N. Indiana, dont know if you have them up there.

Fuddyduddy1952 · 2025-09-11T21:04:57-0400

Midniteoyl said:
Last time I had this on my full grown Spruces it was Spider Mites. This is in N. Indiana, dont know if you have them up there.

Could be. I have Seven Dust...would that work?

Midniteoyl · 2025-09-12T00:59:02-0400

Fuddyduddy1952 said:
Could be. I have Seven Dust...would that work?

Not sure. I used Malathion at the time. Sure just about any type of spray would work to kill them quickly, then dust to keep them away..

old and tired · 2025-09-12T07:34:28-0400

How good is your eye sight? If it's spider mites, you should be able to see fine webbing (like spider webs). Normally, if you do have spider mites, you'll have a dead area, like you have, but also active colony around that area... it doesn't like like that with your photo... more close up photos could help...

It looks to me that a dog pissed on the bush... and over "fertilized" the needle

Anyway, you should confirm what you have because if it's spider mites, you'll need a Miticide - or you can use insecticidal soaps or Neem oil (for safer control).