What's eating my serbian spruce 'pendula'?

Serbian Spruce 'Pendula' is a narrow, weeping cultivar with the same pest profile as the species. Spruce aphid is the most damaging pest, attacking in late winter when the weeping form makes inner foliage hard to inspect. Spruce gall adelgid, spider mites, and occasional deer browsing on the pendant branches are the other threats.

Inner needles pale and drop in late winter/spring; the weeping canopy can hide heavy infestations until damage is severe Autumn insecticide treatment (imidacloprid or bifenthrin) is the most effective window; inspect undersides of needles carefully from November

Pineapple-shaped galls at shoot bases in spring; tips distort and annual growth is stunted Prune galls off before adults emerge in late summer; imidacloprid bark spray or soil drench in early spring

Stippled, bronze needles with fine webbing; most severe in sheltered, hot, dry spots Improve air circulation; neem oil or specialist miticide; overhead watering in dry spells to reduce mite pressure

Pendant lower branches browsed; bark rubbed off by antlers in autumn Deer repellent spray on lower foliage; physical tree guard or stake cage around young trees