Question
Dear Edward,

I planted a very small evergreen tree at a cemetary about 6 years ago (which was so small it came in a planter) and it has been doing fine although the soil is not the greatest.  About 4 weeks ago, I saw that it went from green to brown suddenly.  I maintain it just about every week with watering or putting some food by the base of the trunk.  I went to a landscaping place and they told me it might be spider mites that attack this specific type of evergreen.  I sprayed it a few times and it did seem to get better, but it's starting in again.  None of the other trees in the vicinity seem to be that brown.  The temperature has been hot and we haven't had much water.  There are also white spots on the trunk of the tree.  He said that might be dried sap.  I did bring in a sample of the tree but he didn't see any spider mites.  Is there anything I can do to stop the tree from turning brown and dying?  Should I cut any of the dead branches? Thank you so much...Barbara from Hackensack, NJ.

Answer
Barbara,

It is very difficult to maintain a plant in a cemetary because they do not water on a regular basis. Plants such as this Alberta spruce (I assume), will be attacked readily once the plant goes into drought stress. Spraying now for the mites is a waste, they did their damage in the late spring and are now dormant. I would recommend fertilizing the plant with an organic granular fertilizer and maihntaining a regular watering schedule. Cutting off the dead branches is all right if it doesn't destroy the overall balance of the tree.

Good luck,
Ed Gulliksen