Green spruce aphid (Elatobium abietinum) - what's happening to the spruce up North.

[TTS North]

There was a thread a few weeks ago - someone noticed a lot of the spruce in Northumberland/Borders are developing a browny tinge and dropping needles.

 

A few people suggested it was the bark beetle - but this is a region wide phenomenon and is in places where the bark beetle has not been found.

 

A few of the more mature trees have been hit quite hard - most just look a bit sickly. The younger ones are fine. Even the mature ones do recover as new spring growth is unaffected.

 

That's monoculture for you.

 

 

This is the consensus about what is more likely behind it.

 

Teagasc - Forestry - Green Spruce Aphid

 

On the plus side, fewer old needles to make you to bleed when felling.

 

We've had a few very mild winters - need a proper freeze up this year.

[Darrin Turnbull]

I've even seen it up Ingram valley.

[Darrin Turnbull]

And Holy island

 

[Darrin Turnbull]

Maybe its The Sixth Extinction

[TTS North]

Too bad it doesn't like the naturally seeded sitka - I'm sick of weeding the little buggers out.