Spruce trees dropping needles is perfectly normal

Q: We have three blue spruce that are about 5 years old and late this summer we noticed needles were turning brown close to the trunk. Is this something we can treat? – Nicole H. A: Although we discussed the situation a few weeks ago, similar questions keep coming, so I know it s still on the minds of evergreen owners. The good news is that most evergreen photos show normal seasonal needle shedding, which usually begins late summer through autumn. It s more visible and pronounced this year on many trees. Unlike deciduous, leafy-type trees that shed all their leaves annually, evergreens hold onto their foliage for multiple years. Although we call them evergreens, the needles don t cling on forever, instead they cycle out as they age. Spruce trees maintain their needles for about five to seven years. Some spruce species and pine-type evergreens hold needles up to 10 years before dropping, according to University of Saskatchewan and Colorado State University. Ev