Posted by M Kris Neal on May 4, 2006

Q: I have an evergreen in my front yard. I know that it has been there for 20 years but I don't know how much longer than that. One side of it started dying and my husband cut back the whole side of the tree. (This caused an arguement) He insists that it will grow back. It has been a year and of course it hasn't. This is not a yew. It is only about 4 or maybe 4 1/2 feet tall. I think it is some kind of fir but I am not positive. It has small (1/2 inch) needs. I think it needs to be removed because it is beyond repair. I can't find a site that will help me with this issue and was hoping that you might. Thank you.

State: Missouri

A: Your photos were excellent - thanks so much! Your tree is an Alberta Spruce. This particular species is very popular with homeowners and makes a nice foundation planting. Most of the conifers (pines, spruces, and firs) won't bud back if you remove all of the live material on a given branch. You can see that on your tree there is lots of new growth at the top but NONE in the cut areas - and there never will be.

If you really like that particular tree species, why not go down to your local nursery and have them provide a replacement. You are correct that yews will bud back even after hard pruning but since spruces won't, if they start dying in one area, you've pretty much lost that part of the tree.

Although your tree really looks vigorous at the top, I'm not sure why it would have died on the side. Did you do some spraying there last year that may have gotten on the needles? Looks to me as though there is plenty of light on that side so the tree should have been fine. Keep in mind that spruce don't do well when shaded. Best of luck to you. How's come wives are right so often?:-)

John Wiessinger ( May 4, 2006)