Norway Spruce....some doing well some not so well

[Livesintrees]

So I planted 60 3’ Norway’s spruce trees around the house for screening from the neighbors (less hey know the better) 43 of these trees did exceptional. They put on new growth. Filled out. Textbook results. I also have some that didn’t make it bc they are brittle and dry and snapped easily. The rest however have lost their needles but remain fully flexible. Do I have a case of trees that saw transplant stress and shock and will come back his spring or have these needleless flexible trees gone to the big Xmas tree farm on the sky?

Looking to order more so If i need to replace these I’ll do so in the next order.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I've only planted Norway seedlings, not 3 footers or some other size. From some of the seedlings I've lost over the years, when they turn brown and get brittle, they have been toast for me. They haven't bounced back. Bigger trees with a root ball - it's hard to say. I'd guess they won't come back. If you want same-size trees for a screen, maybe order more trees to replace the brown ones, so you don't lose a year's growth.

 

[Tree Spud]

I have planted quite a few 2'-3' Norway & Blue spruce. I can't say your 43 out of 60 is out of the ordinary ... transplant stress, handling by the nursery, water/nutrient competition from weeds/grass, regular consistent water all can be an issue.

On larger transplants you also have to contend with a larger root mass. Very important to insure that when planting to insure roots are covered with soil and soil is packed down good. Any air pockets can kill the tree. On the roots, i always trim so that they are no longer than 18". I use an Earthquake earth auger to drill a 8" diameter hole that is deeper than the roots are long. Make sure the top of the hole soil around the tree is lower (~ 1") than the surrounding soil, helps to pocket rain. I can't recall ones that lost their needles ever coming back.

 

[Livesintrees]

I watered them in very well dug em deeper and wider then needed. Made sure the sides weren’t compacted. Etc etc. I guess I just need to replant some. No big deal. I’m going to add more anyway. Since these were by the house I had a soaker hose run to them all.

Wondering if I should add a thin layer of mulch around the base or if it’ll do more harm then good

 

[Northbound]

I've planted lots of n.s. with roughly 90%survival however that's on 12" trees and zero aftercare.
Were your 36" trees bare root? Did they seem to put on growth first year? (Not sure by your post how many years they been planted). I just noticed alpha nursery has 24-36" bare root available. I was considering ordering 500 but nervous as that seems like a big tree for bare root.

 

[Livesintrees]

Yes mine were bare root. The surviving trees look excellent. They look a little rough when they first come but by the time winter hit they have began filling out. Some new growth. I’m very pleased with the results. I did water daily and baby them since they are by the house. I’m not sure I’d spend the money on that size in the woods in case of a hit and dry summer

 

[Tree Spud]

I watered them in very well dug em deeper and wider then needed. Made sure the sides weren’t compacted. Etc etc. I guess I just need to replant some. No big deal. I’m going to add more anyway. Since these were by the house I had a soaker hose run to them all.

Wondering if I should add a thin layer of mulch around the base or if it’ll do more harm then good

I would drop some peat moss in the hole first if you were that close to your house. If you controlled their watering you had transplant stress/failure.

Still focus of soil compaction and good transplant into the whole. You would be surprised after rain, watering how it can settle.

 

[H20fwler]

Most of the ones I plant are 2'-4' bare root and some potted. In my experience as soon as they get any brown on them they are done for..43 out of 60 isn't a bad success rate for that size it probably matches my success rate on them but I also have rutting bucks in the mix tearing the crap out of them. Seems if you can get through the first year with them they take off pretty good but there is always that tree that seems to just go brown over night no matter how long you have had it.