Will my spruce make it?

11 years ago

About 3 years ago, I planted 3 Spruce trees in my backyard. I bought them when they were maybe 18" tall.

Here's an overall pic for references. They're about 25 feet away from the Pin Oak:

When I first planted the trees, I added a barrier around 3 to keep the weeds down because they were out of control. Well, what I think happened was the barrier prevented enough water from getting to the roots than the plant became stressed. I didn't notice it until the following season when I promptly removed the barrier. Well, last year it really didn't show any growth but I kept it in the ground. This year, there is some new growth on the very tips of the tree but it still looks like it's in pretty rough shape. My question is, do you think it will survive and is it worth saving at this point?

Below are pics of each tree with the 3rd set of pics being the stressed (or dying) tree.

One last question- the tip of the tree must've broke at some point in its hard-knock life and now there isn't 1 straight branch sticking upwards but a clump of newly grown branches where it broke. Will this self-rectify or can something be done now before it gets too large (assuming the plant will survive)?

Thanks in advance for your help!

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Comments (6)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
yes.. the leader bud died... two have responded ...

bottom line..

if you wnat to wait and see ... it may come back ... but will be behind the others ...

but if this thing is going to drive you crazy.. replace it with a strong one.. in fall .. now might not be the best time... in your area ????

there is nothing to do.. but water properly and see ...

if you choose replacement.. i would go with the same size ... as before.. no need for it to be an exact duplicate of the others ...

this might also give you an oportunity.. to go with a smaller.. really blue one.. like hoopsi ...

or some other plant.. diversity is our usual demand ... but as to size ... there can also be diversity.. so dont get all wound up in them having to be perfect copies ... i would not go much bigger on the transplants ...

ken
User
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for the info. I live in SE Michigan. I guess I could wait and see what happens. I wasn't sure if all signs pointed to death so that's why I asked. I'd like to save it if I can.
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tlbean2004
11 years ago
What kind of barrier did you put down to prevent weeds?
User
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I'm embarrassed to say... a couple leftover shingles from our roof. Lesson learned, plants need water apparently...
tlbean2004
11 years ago
lol well, water definitely will not penetrate the shingles.

Use cardboard next time.
User
Original Author
11 years ago
That's a good idea. That would actually work great in our veggie garden. I've always heard of newspaper but never tried it.

The spruce trees are in the far back of my property and I don't tend to it as I do the rest of my yard so the weeds usually run rampant. I'm hoping when the spruces grow in they crowd out the weeds there.