Firs diseases: signs and symptoms of the 12 most common ailments, how to treat them

The development of spruce diseases can cause significant harm to plantings. To avoid the death of coniferous plants, it is important to familiarize yourself with the main signs of pathologies and learn how to treat them. In most cases, spruce pathologies are fungal in nature and pose a threat to plants. At the same time, signs of some ailments are visible immediately, while others appear only after a while.

Causes of diseases

The main pathologies of spruces are associated with the influence of the following factors:

• infection with fungal infections;
• the activity of pathogenic bacteria that are present in the soil;
• attacks of different types of pests.

Non-infectious pathologies are also widespread. They are caused by violation of agrotechnical recommendations, improper conditions of detention, errors during planting. Common factors in the development of pathologies include the following:

• wrong landing with deep penetration;
• deficit or excess of moisture;
• wrong choice of landing site;
• nutrient deficiencies;
• stagnation of moisture in the soil.

Fungal pathologies usually do not provoke the death of the plant. At the same time, they cause premature fall of the needles and a violation of its color - it can become brown or even black. Most often, fungal infections are associated with a strong thickening of plantings, lack of light, high soil moisture.

Popular diseases and how to treat them

When growing blue or common spruce, you can encounter a number of problems. At the same time, there are pathologies that occur most often.

Schütte

There are several types of Shutte - brown, snowy, real. This pathology is dangerous for ordinary spruce and other plant varieties. Other conifers also suffer from it. The development of the disease is associated with the activity of pathogenic fungi that develop under snow at temperatures above 0 degrees. At the same time, signs of pathology appear in spring or summer - after the snow melts.

With the development of the disease, the needles of the plant are covered with a gray-black coating and small black dots. Pathology poses the greatest danger to young conifers. As the disease develops, plant needles turn yellow and brown, and then crumble.

To cope with the pathology, it is required to carry out the treatment of plantings with Bordeaux liquid and fungicidal solutions during the entire warm period. For this, it is permissible to use "Khom" and "Abika-Peak". Sanitary pruning of affected branches and soil treatment are also needed.

Fusariosis

This disease provokes pathogenic fungal flora that develops in the soil near the roots. Fusarium poses a threat not only to spruces, but also to other conifers - firs, pines, larches. With the development of the disease, the needles of plants turn red and fall off. In this case, mainly the middle part of the crown suffers. Root rot often occurs in young trees.

For the treatment of fusarium, it is necessary to treat coniferous trees with fungicidal preparations. To do this, you can use Alirin and Fitosporin. Bordeaux liquid is also highly effective. To avoid pathology, when growing spruces, you need to monitor the quality of the soil.Most often, Fusarium develops in soil with high humidity, which does not have very good drainage.

Rust

With this pathology, yellowing of the needles is observed. In this case, the affected shoots are deformed and dry out. This disease is associated with the development of a fungal infection.

The most common types of pathology include the following:

1. Rust needles. This disease occurs in the first half of spring. In this case, yellow bubbles form on the needles. As the disease develops, the needles completely change their color, becoming yellow. Then she falls off.
2. Columnar rust. This disease is characterized by damage to the needles, which subsequently affects the bark of the plant. In the affected area, the bark becomes thicker and eventually becomes covered with cracks in which yellow bubbles form. In this case, drying and dying of the damaged areas are observed.
3. Rust cones. It can be identified by the inside of the scales, which are covered with dark aeciopustules. As the disease progresses, infected buds open prematurely and seeds die.

To eliminate the pathology, it is required to carry out systemic treatment of the plant with drugs that affect infectious agents. The most effective means include "Abika-Peak" and "Fitosporin".

Grey Rot

The development of this pathology is associated with the activity of the fungus Botrytis cinerea. With the progression of this disease, the shoots become gray, brown or black. After some time, the trees completely lose their decorative properties and weaken. Typically, gray mold will attack plants that are planted too tightly.

To cope with the disease, it is worth using copper sulfate.You can also use special fungicides - for example, apply "Skor". After treatment, all affected shoots must be removed and burned. To prevent problems, plantings should be treated with Bordeaux mixture in early spring.

Cortical necrosis

This is a fungal pathology that is associated with the activity of fungi Sphaeria pithyophila. The first symptoms of the disease usually occur in the second half of summer. At the same time, they are visible on the branches of the lower tiers, which are closer to the surface of the earth. If the spruce grows in shady places with a thickened crown, the disease can move higher. With a severe damage to the tree, the branches dry up and there is even a risk of death of the plant.

To prevent or eliminate the disease, copper-containing fungicides are recommended. To make spruce more resistant to this disease, it is worth using microfertilizers and immunostimulating agents.They are recommended to be applied under plants annually. This should be done in early spring.

Pine Spinner

This fungal infection mostly affects pine trees. However, spruces can also suffer from the disease. With the development of pathology, a strong curvature of the lateral shoots of the plant and the death of the top are observed. The needles are covered with yellow-orange swellings. With the development of pathology, the growth of spruce stops and after a while its death occurs.

At the initial stage, Fundazol or Bordeaux liquid helps to cope with the disease. At the same time, it is permissible to spray the tree 2 times during the season. In this case, special attention is recommended to be paid to young trees. Most often, the disease develops on trees younger than 10 years old.

Alternariosis

This disease is accompanied by the formation of black or dark gray spots on the shoots. Most often it develops on plants that are deficient in light. In order to prevent the occurrence of alternariosis, it is important to choose the right place for landing.

Sick plants are recommended to be treated with Bordeaux liquid or "Soon". The affected fragments of spruce should be removed, and the sections should be treated with copper sulphate. This will help prevent further spread of the infection.

Bacteriosis

This disease is considered very dangerous. At the initial stage, the needles do not change their color and do not become stained, but simply become dimmer. Therefore, the disease goes unnoticed for a long time. However, as the pathology progresses, the needles begin to crumble even at the slightest touch.

In order not to miss the signs of bacteriosis, it is important to constantly inspect the trees. At the first manifestations of pathology, the tree should be treated with "Fundazol", and after 3 days - with "Fitosporin". After a few more days, it is recommended to use Zircon.

Biatorell cancer

This infection leads to damage to the wood of conifers. With the development of pathology, the bark of the plant first becomes brown, and then becomes covered with cracks. In the areas of dead areas, long elongated ulcers are formed. After that, resinous fungal growths form in their place. As the fungal infection develops, the needles turn yellow and fall off.

At the first sign of illness, it is worth treating the tree with Bordeaux liquid or using high-quality fungicides. A total of 2-3 sprays per season are recommended.

Nectrium cancer

This pathology manifests itself in the form of many microscopic growths that have a red-orange tint and appear on the surface of the trunk. Gradually, the growths darken and dry out, the bark dies off, and the needles become yellow and crumble.

To cope with the pathology, it is recommended to use preparations containing copper. In this case, the soil around the roots should be carefully treated with fungicides.

Spruce ulcer

This fungal infection mainly affects spruce trees and manifests itself in the form of a large amount of resin accumulation on the shoots. Over time, instead of growths, dead places form. At the same time, the bark becomes covered with cracks, and many ulcers form on the trunk.

When signs of disease appear, damaged shoots are recommended to be removed and burned. At the same time, the soil under the roots should be shed with fungicides, and the crown should be treated with copper-containing agents.

Drying of branches

When the disease develops, black and brown growths appear on the branches and trunk. At the same time, the needles turn yellow and fall off, and the shoots dry out and deform.To get rid of the pathology, you need to use fungicides and Bordeaux liquid. To prevent disease plants, it is recommended to plant trees further away.

How to prevent disease

To prevent the development of diseases and pest attacks, it is important to follow these rules:

1. Choose only he althy seedlings.
2. Remove dry branches in time.
3. Don't plant spruce near bird cherry.
4. Before planting, treat spruce roots with fungicides.
5. In early spring, spray the ephedra with blue vitriol.
6. Burn affected pine needles.

When growing fir trees, gardeners often face various diseases. To avoid the occurrence of problems, it is necessary to engage in the prevention of the development of ailments. If the pathology nevertheless appeared, it is important to timely treat the plant with special means.

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