Dwarf Alberta Spruce went brown over a 4 day span.

[JHenke]

I have a few Dwarf Alberta Spruce in my back yard, approximately 10 years old. One of these bushes has browned and lost most of its needles over a 4 day span, any suggestions ?

 

[Bango Skank]

Has a dog been peeing on it?

 

[JHenke]

No, there are no stray or loose dogs. Will have on a rare occasion a deer visit, but just to sniff the Hydrangea.

 

[Raintree]

Check the stump area for girdling. Damage happened one or two months ago.

 

[Ikeholt]

Usually spider mites cause that in my area, starts at the bottom. The top does look a little less damaged.

 

[Del_]

Might be mites.

 

[Maintenance supervisor]

Yup spider mites.

 

[JHenke]

Ok, what is the best treatment for spider mites ?

 

[grizz55chev]

Ok, what is the best treatment for spider mites ?

Neem oil

 

[Jed1124]

Ok, what is the best treatment for spider mites ?

Neem oil

Just watch the temperature when you use it. Over 80 degrees at 2% you run the risk of burn.
Cool dry day is best.

 

[grizz55chev]

Just watch the temperature when you use it. Over 80 degrees at 2% you run the risk of burn.
Cool dry day is best.

Spray at night

 

[TNTreeHugger]

We would get them on the arbs at the nursery I used to work at.
Shake a branch over a white piece of paper and you'll see them.

 

[ATH]

Note, spruce spider mites are a cool season mite, so they may not be there now...but I wouldn't rule them out as the culprit. they may have fed in the spring and as the weather is hot and dry/tree stressed, the damage is just showing up.

horticultural oil/all seasons oil/summer oil (all the same thing) is very effective too and may be easier to find than neem oil.