Expert: Jim Hyland - 9/27/2009

Question
Bought two 5' Colorado Blue Spruce. The seller set the trees and said to water (spray) the trees. After he left I built a dirt "saucer" around the trees and soaked them, also pushed the hose into the ground around the trees to get the air pockets out. This was 2 weeks ago and I have kept the soil wet ever since. It hasn't been hot here. Yesterday I noticed the needles dropping (a lot)from the lower branches of one of the trees. I don't think this is normal. I am trying to contact the seller but I would like to hear from you also.
Thank you, Art Azzaro, Waterford, Michigan (southeast mich.)

Answer
I think you over watered them. Too much water will be the same signs as too little water--drooping leaves and dying needles. I would water once a week with 1 inch of water--place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler on and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop. If you have not done so mulch around the tree with 3 inches deep of organic mulch (pine straw is good) not piled up on the trunk. This will help hold moisture around the roots. The soil should not be wet just moist. I would stop the watering for a few days and let the soil dry out before water with the 1 inch.