I live in Virginia, What would cause my 18 year old yellow spruce to die with-in weeks?

Answer 1

Very possible the soil has changed over the years and now has allowed insects in and they have fed on your spruce. Also, the changes in the temperatures (frosts to unusually high temperatures and back to frosts during the winter months shocks the tree and it doesn't know what to do, so it just dies.

Answer 2

Below are several links with pictures that might look like your tree
Sorry I too hate to lose a tree


http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/spf/fhp/leaflets/Sprneerus.htm

http://www.alaskatonewood.com/sitkaspruce.htm
.................SITKA SPRUCE...........
..................Picea Sitchensis..........
Also known as Silver Spruce, Coast Spruce, or
Yellow Spruce, this wood started out most used
for utility poles, pulpwood, pallets, and framing for
heavy construction.
..........Below are pictures of possible diseases, see if any of them look like your tree
Spruce Needle Cast
http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/spf/fhp/leaflets/Sprneecas.htm
Below is a down load for diseases
http://www.societyofirishforesters.ie/htmlabs/abstract338.htm

Spruce Broom Rust
http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/spf/fhp/leaflets/Sprbrorus.htm

Brown Pocket Rot of Sitka Spruce
http://www.pfc.forestry.ca/diseases/CTD/Group/Heart/lrg_images/fig16b.gif

Seed fungus
http://www.pfc.forestry.ca/diseases/nursery/images/full_images/fig16.jpg

http://www.pfc.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/diseases/CTD/Group/Needle/lrg_images/fig57c.gif
http://www.pfc.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/diseases/CTD/Group/Needle/lrg_images/fig57c.gif