The spruce is showing a much heavier production of cones than is normal. More than a few of these middle-aged conifers around town we’re planted in the late 50s and 60s by school children over a series of Arbor Day programs. Well many were native to Oregon. They are not to the desert.
Conifers, like this Spruce planted long ago in ‘old’ Redmond, are in decline when property owners cut back on water. It’s leaf/needle color is off and it is coning heavily, often an indicator of stress. This, and many other area conifers were planted by school children in the 60’s and earlier as part of early Arbor Day activities.
GardenRiots 