Silver Fir P+D

[Gary Prentice]

I'm a bit stumped on this problem, as is our local TO, so some pics have gone to the FC.

 

First appearances were climatic, but necrosis is also occurring both on the leeward side of the canopy and internally. Live needles are interspersed with dead needles adjacent to each other.

 

Most needles are dying back from the tips, but others along the needle margins. Odd needles are showing bands of necrosis across the width.

 

There is no discolouration beneath the bark on dying parts, no exudates on branches, the trunk or around the root collar.

 

Adelgids are present, in low numbers, on new foliage but don't appear to be relevant to the needle loss.

 

 

Any opinions, anyone?

[Gary Prentice]

Foliage pic

[David Humphries]

One of the needle cast fungi ?

 

Have you had a look at the needles under a hand lens?

 

 

 

 

 

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[Gary Prentice]

Foolishly no. Never even thought to tbh. Can the infections be very severe? I had a look in strouts and winters, searched the net and found that firs have been identified, in Ireland with P ramorum and probably didn't think things through.

 

It was the TO who suggested contacting the plant health people and after the p&d roadshow it didn't seem a bad idea.