Dead looking spruce tree?

Question

my spruce tree is about 36 years old and looks completely dead but a lot of people have scratched it and told me that its still alive, is there anyway to bring it back or should i have it removed? i think it might be a disease if so is there a product i can use to help?

Answer 1

If the tips are without needles, it's a goner.  Depending on the conifer, they grow only at specific locations.  In spruces it's at that tip or small buds just behind the tip....that's it.  If the tips are gone, that is if the buds are dead, the tree can not develop new needles.  

Yes, it may still be green in the cork cambium which I assume your friends are reaching, but the cork cambium grows bark, not branches, not needles.  

The only exception is if you live south of the equator and it's winter right now.  Then your "dead spruce" may be a larch which is a deciduous conifer.  These trees naturally lose their needles in winter and send out new ones each spring.  Yes, they grow in the norther hemisphere too.  

If your true spruce looks dead, the tree cannot send out new foliage so all that store energy inside that may be showing green tissue will be used up and not replenished. .

Answer 2

just get a new tree - don't waste money on it

Answer 3

Call an Arborist. They can tell you with CERTAINTY if it is dead, or if there is something that will save it. If it cannot be saved, they will be able to SAFELY take the tree down. Yes, it IS expensive, but the Arborist will be licensed and insured, (but still ask about it), so that if something happens, THE ARBORIST will be responsible.

Answer 4

If it looks dead it probably is.  

It may be able to come back,  Check the twig end buds.  

If it has a disease you probably would not be able to save it.  I would think sombody, and arborist preferable, would need to take a look at it.