We live on 15 forested acres in No. Idaho. The tips of the spruce trees turn brown. I'm trying to identify the "pre-brown" condition. A swelling of the new growth, a misshapen growth tip. But some of the tips are bright red?
down in the base between the needles. Others that are swollen when broken open are like a white fleshy veg. or fruit? no bugs, worms, grubs etc. I've been told by local agents this is called adalgid (sp?) Advise.

Reply to post by Jeannie Borer, on June 04, 2000 at 12:06:29:

Jeannie,

Sounds a lot like eastern spruce gall adelgid. They cause a "cone-like" swelling at the tips of new growth and cause the tip to turn brown and die and leave a swollen portion in which larvae develope. The Cooley spruce gall adelgid causes a similar gall at the base of the growth.