The Black Hills spruce ( Picea glauca ) is a variety of white spruce aboriginal to South Dakota . The Black Hills spruce is a large tree diagram , with one specimen in North Dakota that stands at a height of 95 feet with a 42 foot spread . Generally grow as an decorative tree , the Black Hills spruce also serves as a shelterbelt or privacy silver screen in some residential landscape painting . The Black Hills titivate tree grows best in moist , loamy soil in full sun in its USDA hardiness zones ( 2 to 6 ) .
Lirula Needle Blight
A fungal disease , lirula needle blight overwinters on the tree ’s needle and becomes progressively worse over the course of three years . This disease first come in the tree ’s second twelvemonth , in previous summer . The needles turn brown and come along dead . Apply a fungicide containing chlorothalonil when unexampled needle are half the duration of ripe needles , and a second time , one calendar month later , grant to packet directions . This procedure will need to be repeated for every spring for three year to be good , according to the University of Minnesota Extension Service .
Rhizosphaera Needle Cast
Rhozosphaera needle throw bang in mid to later summer . It can be identified by yellow needles that burn brown in late winter . Rhozosphaera needle cast affects the phonograph needle on lower outgrowth that are snug to the luggage compartment , rather than those at the top of the branch . The needles will fall off the tree one twelvemonth after it is infected . To avoid this disease weewee the tree diagram during periods of drought , mulch around the base and annul getting water on the acerate leaf . Spray the septic Black Hills spruce tree with a antimycotic hold Chlorothalonil , harmonise to package way , in former spring when new needle are small . Apply again three weeks later , fit in to package guidance .
Cytospora Canker
Another fungal disease that is destructive to the Black Hills tittivate . It is introduced into the tree through wounds , starts on the humbled branch and circularize speedily to others . Needles turn brownish and die and the tree secretes white-hot or lightsome blue rosin from lesions on the bark , called canker . It is primarily spread by rainfall , insects and razz . Stressed trees , such as those in drought conditions , are more susceptible to the disease , according University of Nebraska - Lincoln . It is , therefore , advised that you keep the tree healthy with right watering and other maintenance routine . Early management let in pruning off and destroying pathological branches . After pruning , go for a fungicide to the wounds .
