Sick Fraser Firs

My two beloved Fraser Firs have been diagnosed with balsam woolly adelgids and canker, most likely Cytospora. They have been declining for several years. The adelgids infestation is slight. The canker is a far more serious issue. Other than feeding and general good tree care what can I do to extend the life of these trees. They have tremendous sentimental value (gifts from my late father). They were each planted Christmas week, in frozen ground, the first in about 1980 and the second in the year following. I never expected either to live throught the first winter as we had to chop a hole in the ground with a pick, haul water in buckets from the house, mulch with straw about a foot or two thick and completely encircle with burlap. I was so elated that the first one made it that my Dad mistook my enthusiam for the desire to have a second. So, year two, another knock on the door and another surprise tree delivery Christmas week. Both times it was snowing hard. Anyway, you get the point. I'm gonna have a real hard time loosing these trees. I will do ANYTHING it takes to keep em going.



From: snapple45

Not realistically much you can do - they are short-lived in warm, lowland areas. What they need is cool, humid summers, but providing air conditioning just isn't feasible.

Resin

Sorry for the downturn with your trees.

As you have been an extension of your father's life and genetics, so too can you do so with these Abies fraseri.

If these trees cone for you, collect the seed and grow out new progeny. Additionally, procure the services of someone skilled at grafting and collect scions to create new young trees.

This may be difficult and/or expensive, but it beats trying to do (losing) battle with those nefarious named nemeses.

If you are really successful with the propagation proposals, then you could cast your Dad's energy and influence even further afield.

Thanks Resin. It helps with acceptance of the inevitable.

VV - They both cone. One quite a bit. I had about six or seven seedlings. Three I started myself in pots of peat and fir bark and dumb luck and pond water for irrigation. They didnt survive moving out of the pots into the ground. I have two self sown seedlings in the vicinity of the trees. They should be moved to some sun but I am afraid to try it. At least they liked the ground. I am going to call the Local Extension Agent. They are very active and I know they work with local growers and nurseries. If there is any one in the County who can graft they should know. I love this idea. My Dad would approve. He was a great home gardener. I think he could root a broom handle. When I get it worked out I will post.

Honored to have the information Resin. I look forward to trying again.