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Is needlecast a problem in Indiana?

Answered for Martinsville, Morgan County (county seat) County.

Effectively endemic on Indiana blue spruce. It is the single most common reason a blue spruce gets removed here. In Martinsville, genuinely over-mature in the old grid: the Northside Historic District developed circa 1850–1935 and the East Washington Street district circa 1869–1940, so those blocks carry trees well over a century old on shallow-setback lots where the crown sits directly above the roof and the sidewalk. The newer neighborhoods the comprehensive plan maps — Eagle Crest Estates, Southern Acres, Country View — are the opposite extreme, open ground with young stock. (Age is inferred from district survey dates; a species inventory was not available.) Rhizosphaera needlecast is near-universal on mature blue spruce here.

Martinsville's canopy and what's at risk

Genuinely over-mature in the old grid: the Northside Historic District developed circa 1850–1935 and the East Washington Street district circa 1869–1940, so those blocks carry trees well over a century old on shallow-setback lots where the crown sits directly above the roof and the sidewalk. The newer neighborhoods the comprehensive plan maps — Eagle Crest Estates, Southern Acres, Country View — are the opposite extreme, open ground with young stock. (Age is inferred from district survey dates; a species inventory was not available.)

What to look for

Needles browning and dropping from the bottom of the tree upward and from the inside out, leaving bare lower limbs.

Whether the tree can be saved

Rhizosphaera needlecast is near-universal on mature blue spruce here. Fungicide can hold the line on a tree that still has most of its canopy; a spruce that's bare halfway up is not coming back, because spruce doesn't refoliate old wood.

Timing in Morgan County (county seat) County

Two fungicide applications in spring, repeated for two to three consecutive years. Miss a year and it resets.

Crews near Martinsville

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Humble Hunt's Services, LLC, photo 1 of 3Photo author: Bob Schacht

Humble Hunt's Services, LLC

9188 W County Line Rd, Camby, IN 46113

5.041
  • Tree Removal
  • Tree Trimming
  • Stump Grinding
  • +1

Great experience using Humble Hunt Services for tree removal. It was a very large tree and very close to two houses. Every call, every question…

David · 3 months ago · Google
D & S Tree Service, LLC of Mooresville & Greencastle, photo 1 of 3

D & S Tree Service, LLC of Mooresville & Greencastle

7701 S County Rd 375 E, Mooresville, IN 46158

5.025
  • Tree Removal
  • Tree Trimming
  • Stump Grinding
  • +1

We used D&S twice now, and we love them. Owner comes out himself to do estimates, he's always on time, Friendly and informative. Then, before he…

Jennifer Spencer · 2 years ago · Google
Andy's Tree & Landscape, photo 1 of 3

Andy's Tree & Landscape

7532 Brattle Dr, Camby, IN 46113

4.9100
  • Tree Removal
  • Tree Trimming
  • Stump Grinding
  • +2

Andy and his crew member did not disappoint. They did an exceptional job cutting down my tree and also provided additional services on another. They…

Susan McAllister · 3 months ago · Google
McDaniel’s Tree Service, photo 1 of 3

McDaniel’s Tree Service

5741 Gallagher Dr, Greenwood, IN 46142

4.640
  • Tree Removal
  • Tree Trimming
  • Stump Grinding
  • +1

McDaniels Tree Service did an excellent job on a recent work order for tree removal. Their crew arrived on time, worked efficiently, and handled the…

Carl Schwander · 5 months ago · Google
Hair Cuts For Trees LLC, photo 1 of 3

Hair Cuts For Trees LLC

4141 W Southport Rd Lot 10, Indianapolis, IN 46217

5.049
  • Tree Removal
  • Tree Trimming
  • Stump Grinding
  • +2

I highly recommend Hair Cuts For Trees! Sebastian and his crew were promptly on-site the next day after I called him. His pricing was very…

P Ellis · 4 years ago · Google
Jimmy's Tree Service, photo 1 of 2Photo author: Dena Marks

Jimmy's Tree Service

597 Shady Brook Hts, Greenwood, IN 46142

4.115
  • Tree Removal
  • Tree Trimming
  • Stump Grinding
  • +2

I had a tree blow over and hired Jimmy’s crew to cut it up and haul it away. I was expecting to have to do clean up after the job, but I came home to…

Tim Doyle · 3 months ago · Google

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