I have a mature fir that loses several branches each year. The branch begins having a yellowish tinge and over the summer begins to lose needles. Within 12 months the branch is bare and brittle. On examination I see no evidence of insects. What can cause this, and how can it be stopped?
Sounds like natural flagging. Firs will let die unnecessary foliage during stress. You might be interested in the book below. Available to you free of charge via Natural Resources Canada / Canadian Forest Service. "Common Tree Diseases of British Columbia". ISBN 0-662-24870-8. It's a great resource for the PNW. barb
Thank you for the information. I found it on the Govt webpage, but can't figure out how to actually order it. I'll contact the government office after the long weekend.
