What's eating my silver fir?

Silver Fir is primarily threatened by the silver fir woolly aphid and bark beetles, which can cause severe dieback. Deer browse young trees heavily. Adelgids create woolly galls on shoots. In stressed trees, bark beetles can be lethal. Keeping trees healthy through correct siting and watering is the best defense.

White woolly tufts on needles and shoots; needle drop, distorted growth and canopy thinning Apply insecticidal soap or systemic insecticide in spring; encourage natural predators such as ladybirds

Galleries under bark causing resin bleeding, branch dieback, and in severe cases tree death Remove and destroy infested wood promptly; avoid wounding trees and maintain vigor through good care

Browsed leading shoots and foliage on young trees, causing deformity or loss of the central leader Tree guards or spiral wraps on young trees; fencing for plantation settings