Forest Density & Health

Recently, I attended the NYS Arborists Fall Conference near Syracuse. One of the presentations focused on the many "declines" associated with particular tree species in NYS. A few days later, I was assessing some sickly Norway spruce trees that also were experiencing "decline" from insect/fungal issues?  What's the connection? What's making these trees sick?

Although it's probably a combination of factors creating problems with these trees, there does seem to be a common thread or cause that I'm noticing, and the good thing is that it's reversible. We'll discuss how density may be impacting your tree(s), and what might be done.