I have a lovely Picea pungens 'Montgomery' which has started to exhibit some bleached branch tips and dark scales lower down on the branches. Is this a scale, rust, or fungal disease? Am I doing something wrong in the care of the plant?

Planted: March 2008

Site: Tennessee, Zone 6b

Soil: Clay and loam

Exposure: Full sun for 7 -8 hours per day, beginning about 11:00AM

Water: Once or twice a week, except when there is rainfall.

Here are some pics:
{{gwi:371161}}Spruce problem

Thanks!

K4