Bought this guy off ebay last year. Sold as a Spruce, which as far as I knew were evergreen. It's been turning steadily brown since Autumn last year, which I attributed to either an unlucky slip-potting or bad watering regime.
Seemed like it was dead and was about to turn it into firewood when some fresh green spouts appeared! This picture is about a week old, it's doing even better now.
So my question is – what is this guy? And how should I be looking after it?
by delaminating_1
12 Comments
just keep it shaded and watered and hope it bounces back.. but that could just be the final thrust before it gives up so don’t get your hopes up
I’ve noticed that trees often have a last burst in spring before dying. I’m very sorry if that’s the case, please don’t give up though.
It’s a spruce, maybe Dwarf Alberta Spruce. Unfortunately, I also think it’s dead. I’m sorry.
this reminds me of my Mugo pine, literally going thru this rn too lol. Not hopeful but keeping in a shade and tending to it. Mine is more dark brown tho. GL!
have u scratched the bark to see is theres green?
It’s not coming back
Source: Ive been dubbed “the spruce man” at my local club.
I appreciate your optimism.
I’m convinced its easier to keep a fish alive out of water than it is to keep a spruce alive in a pot
I think she’s toast. <1% live foliage is not ideal
Looks like could be a Dawn Redwood. They go brown n drop needles over winter. Come back in early spring. Fast growing. Like roots to be in water so don’t let it dry out. Unless it’s a yew. In which case cross ur fingers n don’t ingest anything from it.
One thing to consider is even if it survives, it will take a really long time before it recovers enough to be able to style or repot or any of the trauma we put them through. I would personally toss it because I just don’t have patience for weak material.
I have a spruce (different species though) that got hit with what I think was a fungal infection a few years back. Wasn’t sure but treated it with a systemic fungicide. It did exactly this, dropped all old needles but bounced back and never had an issue since. Just saying it’s possible it could survive, it might be the same cause, and maybe you should treat it when the new needles emerge.