Should I Remove This Blue Spruce?

Question

I have a blue spruce that is (I’m guessing) at least 90 years old. It is very tall and spindly, like a broomstick. It has greenery only at the top maybe 20′. No branches at all below. Some tree people have said it’s dying and presents a risk. We’ve been having strong winds here and I’m concerned it will fall against the power lines. It’s companion tree that was on the other side of the house fell over during hurricane Sandy, went through the roof and totaled my car. In spite of all that, I’m still hesitant on removing this tree if it’s not necessary. It was probably planted around the time the house was built in 1929.

Answer 1

At that age and its current state, it is probably best to remove it. Needle cast is one disease that defoliates the tree. Conifers are not able to respond with new growth on defoliated stems, so it can't rejuvenate. Here are some of the prominent diseases and insects that affect blue spruce:

https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/blue-spruce-common-health-issues-in-landscape