What's eating my deodar cedar 'karl fuchs'?

Deodar Cedar 'Karl Fuchs' is a hardy, relatively pest-resistant conifer. The deodar weevil is the most specific named pest, boring into twigs and causing dieback. Bagworm, scale, and root rot on poorly drained soils are occasional concerns. This cultivar's aromatic foliage offers some natural insect deterrence.

Larvae bore into shoot tips and small branches causing dieback; adults notch-feed on bark; resin pitch-tubes visible at entry points. Prune infested shoots well below entry holes; apply pyrethroid preventively to trunk and scaffold branches in early spring; maintain good vigour.

Silken bags of plant material hang from branches; larvae strip needles causing large dead patches; heavy infestations can kill branches. Remove and destroy bags in winter; apply Bt to small larvae in late spring; spinosad or permethrin for older larvae.

Encrusting scales on stems and needles weaken the tree; honeydew deposits attract sooty mould and ants. Apply horticultural oil at crawler emergence; systemic neonicotinoid drench for persistent populations; remove badly infested branches.