Expert: Jim Hyland - 10/3/2011

Question
we have yound blue spruce which is beginning to show a browning of the branches starting from the truck.  We have been in a minor drought for the past 30 days but we have been watering.  I see it is happening to other trees in the area as well.

Answer
If the outer needles on the end of the branches are still green then this is a result of the dry weather and is normal. However if the entire branch has dead needles then this is more then likely a disease --canker. But what you described is normal needle drop during dry weather and will not cause the tree any health problems.