What's eating my keteleeria davidiana?

Keteleeria davidiana, a large Chinese conifer rarely seen outside specialist collections, faces typical conifer pests: pine bark beetles and wood-borers in stressed trees, pine aphids on new growth, and scale insects on stems. Deer will browse accessible foliage on young specimens. Maintaining vigour through correct drainage and watering is the primary defence.

Fine sawdust (frass) at bark crevices; pitch tubes; D-shaped exit holes; branch dieback; stressed trees most at risk Keep trees healthy and well-watered to resist attack; remove and destroy infested branches promptly; preventive carbaryl bark spray in late spring on high-value trees

Colonies on soft new shoots; honeydew and sooty mould; minor needle yellowing Insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; jet of water to dislodge colonies; beneficial insects provide good control on larger established trees

Brown or grey encrustations on stems and branches; honeydew and sooty mould below infested areas Horticultural oil spray in late spring targeting crawler stage; scrub bark with soapy water for light infestations

Foliage browsed from lower branches; bark rubbed by antlers on young trees, creating wounds that invite borers Wire mesh tree guard around trunk; deer repellent on foliage; physical fencing on young specimens in deer-pressure sites