Comply with the directions fastidiously and cease spraying after the buds open.
Grubs
Asiatic backyard beetles (Maladera formosae), European chafers (Amphimallon majale), masked chafers (Cyclocephala spp.), Might and June beetles (Phyllophaga spp.), and vine weevils (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) all feed on fir roots throughout their larval stage.
The grubs stay within the soil and feed on roots, generally for years, till they mature and emerge as adults.
Root feeding results in stunted progress each above and beneath floor. In seedlings, heavy infestations may cause lasting harm and even loss of life.
In case you spot grownup beetles and your fir seems weak or careworn, grubs are probably current. To substantiate, dig across the roots and search for the larvae.
You possibly can assist deter infestations by eradicating weeds and avoiding dense floor covers close to the bottom of the tree.
For management, apply helpful nematodes in spring or summer season to focus on the grubs. When adults are lively, deal with with a pyrethrin-based spray, corresponding to Monterey Take Down Backyard Spray.
Monterey Take Down Backyard Spray
You will discover Monterey Take Down Backyard Spray out there at Arbico Organics in 32-ounce ready-to-use spray or as focus.
Spider Mites
The 2-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) is maybe the commonest pest of Fraser fir, particularly when circumstances are heat and dry.
These sap-sucking tick kin draw out the sap from the needles and branches. As they do, the needles flip spotty yellow and can ultimately drop from the tree.
In case you see yellowing and needle drop, look intently for high-quality webbing and indicators of the mites, that are concerning the measurement of the tip of a needle.
Try our information to controlling spider mites to study extra.
Weevils
The Pales weevil (Hylobius pales) targets many conifers, together with Fraser firs. Adults are oval, almost black, and about half an inch lengthy. They overwinter on the forest ground and emerge in spring to breed.
Females lay eggs on the roots of timber and the rising white grubs tunnel into the roots to feed.
By late summer season or early fall, the brand new grownup weevils emerge, which have brown heads and cream-colored our bodies.
The adults feed on tender bark and uncovered roots. If sufficient weevils assault a younger tree, they will girdle branches and even the trunk, inflicting severe harm or loss of life.
Search for indicators like girdling, oozing sap, browning foliage, and fungal cankers on the base. The latter could sign Procerum root illness, which frequently follows a weevil infestation.
Management takes a two-pronged strategy. First, you wish to deal with the grubs and weevils utilizing helpful nematodes utilized to the soil.
Triple Risk Useful Nematodes
One thing like Triple Risk Useful Nematodes, out there from Arbico Organics ought to be utilized as directed within the spring.
In the summertime, when the adults are lively, spray with a pyrethrin-based product.
Illness
There’s just one illness that may be a significant drawback, and it’s a doozy. You may also hardly ever see armillaria root rot on timber infested with adelgids, however it’s not an issue in any other case.
Armillaria
In case your tree is contaminated with armillaria, the trunk and roots will rot away, and also you would possibly see yellow fungi on the base of the tree. There’s nothing you are able to do to save lots of a tree at this level.
Phytophthora Root Rot
Phytophthora root rot (PRR) is a severe and more and more frequent illness that may destroy a tree, turning it a sickly orange in a matter of weeks.
Industrial growers anticipate that they’ll lose as much as a 3rd of their timber annually to this illness.
It’s brought on by a pathogen referred to as Phytophthora cinnamomi, which is an oomycete or water mildew. This water mildew may be carried in water, soil, and even in your footwear or instruments, so it could actually unfold quickly.
As soon as it’s in your soil, it’s virtually unimaginable to eliminate and might stay for many years. That’s why prevention is so vital.
Proper now, researchers are engaged on breeding PRR-resistant Fraser firs, however till that occurs, it’s one thing you’ll should be vigilant about.
In case your tree is contaminated, all or a part of it’s going to wilt, and the needles will tackle a gray-green hue, and never in a fairly manner.
You’ll additionally see useless branches, needle drop, delayed bud break, and gradual progress. Generally solely half of the tree will likely be symptomatic or it may be the entire specimen.
In case you had been to dig down and take a look at the roots, they’d be a rusty cinnamon shade with black or white ideas, and so they would possibly lack the high-quality furry roots.
Step one in avoiding it’s to all the time purchase or take seeds, vegetation, and cuttings from respected sources or wholesome wanting vegetation. If a plant appears sick, keep away from it in any respect prices. It may not have PRR, however higher protected than sorry.
Set your plant in applicable house with applicable drainage and soil. Heavy clay retains water, and water is P. cinnamomi’s finest good friend.
If the illness is current in your space, water utilizing handled culinary water or nicely water. River water or irrigation may be carrying the pathogen.
You also needs to spray your tree preventatively with a fungicide that comprises copper.
In case your tree is contaminated, there’s no remedy, however you may attempt to assist the specimen with merchandise merchandise that comprise phosphorous acid, hydrogen peroxide, citric acid, or the helpful micro organism Bacillus subtilis or Streptomyces lydicus WYEC 108.
CEASE Biofungicide
I’m a selected fan of CEASE, which harnesses the facility of B. subtilis to kill fungal spores.
You will discover this product at Arbico Organics in one- or two-and-a-half gallon jugs.
You can even use the standard fungicide Subdue MAXX.
Embrace the Fabulous Fraser Fir
I used to be on a kind of drives, the sort the place you’re bored out of your thoughts and staring out the window, checking the GPS each two minutes to see how far-off you might be out of your vacation spot.
Brow towards the window, I used to be watching the agricultural panorama fly previous after we had been abruptly smack dab in the midst of lots of of Christmas timber.
For a second, I puzzled if I’d fallen asleep and was having holiday-themed desires. Seems, we had been simply driving by way of one among Oregon’s many Fraser fir farms.
If you need a aromatic, lovely conifer with comfortable needles and traditional Christmas tree form, you may’t discover a higher possibility.
It’s the one conifer I maintain close to my patio as a result of I can’t get sufficient of the scent once I stroll by, and I don’t have to fret about being stabbed by 1,000,000 needles if I brush towards it.
What’s it that pulls you to this tree? And the way do you intend to make use of yours? Tell us within the feedback part beneath!
And to study extra about rising conifers in your panorama, try these guides subsequent: