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UC IPM Home > Homes, Gardens, Landscapes, and Turf > Trees and Shrubs > Fir

How to Manage Pests

Pests in Gardens and Landscapes

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Fir—Abies spp.
Family Pinaceae (Pine family)

Plant Identification

Firs are tall, symmetrical evergreen trees.  Branches are whorled and leaves are needlelike.  Firs produce large cones that shatter after ripening, leaving a spiky stalk. 

Optimum conditions for growth

Fir trees do best near their natural environment in mountain areas.  They are found in rock gardens; smaller plants do well in containers.  They grow slowly in hot, dry or windy areas in low elevations.  Most species prefer full sun or light shade and require moderate to regular amounts of water.  Pruning is rarely necessary. 

Fir tree
Fir tree

Pests and disorders of Abies spp.

Invertebrates

  • Adelgids
  • Aphids
    • Balsam twig aphid
    • Giant conifer aphid
    • Spruce aphid
  • Bark beetles
    • Engraver beetles
    • Red turpentine beetles
  • Clearwing moths
  • Conifer twig weevils
  • Foliage-feeding caterpillars
    • Douglas-fir tussock moth
    • Rusty tussock moth
  • Nematodes
  • Pitch moths
    • Douglas-fir pitch moth
  • Sawflies
    • Conifer sawflies
 Invertebrates (continued)
  • Spider mites
    • Spruce spider mite
  • Spittlebugs
    • Western pine spittlebug


Diseases
  • Annosus root diseases
  • Canker diseases
    • Cytospora canker
  • Needle casts
  • Root and crown rots
  • Wetwood or slime flux
  • Wood decay

Environmental disorders

  • Dwarf mistletoe
  • Mineral deficiencies
  • Nutrient and mineral excesses
  • Poor water management

Weeds

Vertebrates

Foliage of fir tree
Foliage of fir tree

Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
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