I seem to be having some problems with the trees planted around my home. Just recently I lost my second spruce tree out of five which are planted along the side of my home. I also seem to be having similiar problems with two tree like bushes in the front as well. They havent died yet but they are experiencing a lot of damage over all. I dont know the types of these trees but they appear to be common and I'm sure anyone with a little knowledge in this area would easily be able to recognize them.

When I bought the home last august (8/2007), the first of the five trees appeared to already be on its way out. I chalked it up to bad luck but began to become concerned as I noticed this is also happening to other trees which I mentioned. Despite the fact I just lost my second tree, I'm also a bit optimisitic since I'm noticing new growth on almost all trees now in May 2008.

According to the reasearch I've done it might either be an insect type pest or some sort of fungus, or in the case of the trees in the front, perhaps both. I'm unable to tell exactly which since I have no experience in this area. Unfortunately, I also wasn't able to find what to do to correct either problem. There appears to be small white blotches

on the branches of both types of trees. On one tree in the front I found one web like sack but I dont know if this is a definite indication the problem is from pests or if it could be some sort of spider web or other benign insect.

I have a set of pictures of all trees on flickr at this link.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46446838@N00/sets/72157604878205330/detail/

I'm hoping someone will be able to identify what could be wrong and give me advice as to how I can remedy the problem.

Thanks in advance for helping.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pictures of dying trees