Question
QUESTION: Hi Jim,

I have read quite a few of the questions you have answered online. You certainly know far more than any of the local contacts I have spoken with here. I have spoke with the Colorado State Co Op Extension and the Botanical Gardens.

I have a Colorado Blue Spruce tree that I planted at the end of last May. The tree was about 9' in height. When I selected it at the nursery it appeared to be the healthiest of all.

As time has gone on, the tree looks good. It is had tons of new growth. The new growth however turns a purple/pink/whitish color and the needles dry out and fall off. It is only the new growth though. The rest of the tree seems to do fine and more new growth comes in.

For a while i thought the tree was getting too much water as my sump pump drained to a french drain near the tree. I corrected that. Then the soil (heavy clay) was hard at the surface. I broke it up, mixed in some new top soil designed to break up clays and added sheep manure.

What is going on with the tree and what else can I do to ensure it makes it?

Thanks,
Joe

ANSWER: I think the problem is the manure. A concentration of fresh manure can also burn the tree causing the leaves to turn. Sheep manure is better than other but green can damage the foliage. It either makes it grow very fast or turns it from green to off color. It may contain other chemicals that caused the whitish color.
I would lay off the fertilizer and water only once a week with 1 inch of water. place a pan under the tree and turn the water on and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop. That way you can measure the amount. IF you have not done so mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch not piled up on the trunk (pine straw is good).

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Jim,

Thanks for the reply. I should have been clear in that I just placed the fertilizer and top soil down in the last couple of days. Since I have done that the bottom branches have perked up and are not as droopy.

The purplish/pinkish/whitish on the new growth was there before any of the work I did. It happened last year too. I am not sure if it is a pest/bug problem at this point. Is there a good over the counter insecticide I can try to treat the tree and soil surrounding it? Thanks again for all of your help!

Answer
I would try Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Insect Control insecticide.  This is used for sucking type insects and that sound like the damage you described. It is a systemic insecticide and is applied to the soil around the tree. The tree roots will transport it to the foliage killing any insect feeding there.
Here is a web link to this product. Check with your local nursery/garden type store for this product.

http://www.bayeradvanced.com/product/Tree-Shrub-Insect-Control/concentrate.html