2026 Christmas Tree Scouting Report: March 26, 2026

With temperatures in the 50s to low 60s and periodic rainfall keeping soils adequately moist, soil temperatures in southeastern and central PA are reaching around 50 degrees, supporting early root activity, while northern sites remain cooler. Fields have been intermittently wet, limiting access and increasing the risk of compaction in B&B blocks, so paying attention to soil fit remains important before moving equipment. Trees are beginning to show early bud swell in some areas, though development is still uneven across sites and the state.

Some growers have already completed planting of new seedlings, taking advantage of favorable moisture conditions and spring rains to support establishment. For those still waiting on planting stock, conditions are lining up well, and planting should be prioritized as soon as soils are fit. Early spring remains an ideal window to get seedlings in the ground to maximize root establishment ahead of warmer conditions.

Pest Information

Needle Cast

Growers are beginning to report needle cast symptoms showing up across Pennsylvania as we move through early spring. This is a good time to take a closer look at last year's needles on Douglas fir, as symptoms from prior season infections are now becoming visible. Using a hand lens or loop can help confirm what you are seeing and guide management decisions for the season ahead.

Rhabdocline needlecast typically appears as distinct yellow to reddish brown blotches on needles, often with sharp margins. As the disease progresses, small fruiting bodies will break through the needle surface and can appear as tan to orange pustules, especially under moist conditions.

In contrast, Swiss needle cast is usually more subtle in appearance, with needles showing a more uniform yellowing or chlorotic look rather than distinct spots. The key diagnostic feature for Swiss needle cast is the presence of tiny black fruiting bodies lined up in rows along the underside of the needle, which can often be seen with magnification.

The main difference comes down to symptom pattern and where to look. Rhabdocline is more blotchy and patchy, while Swiss needle cast is more uniform and requires a closer look underneath the needle to confirm. Both diseases can lead to premature needle drop, but correct identification is important since timing and management approaches may differ.

Now is a good time to scout blocks carefully and identify which needlecast issues are present so you can plan fungicide programs accordingly. Taking a few extra minutes with a hand lens can make a big difference in making the right call for the season.

Cryptomeria Scale

A few early instar Cryptomeria scale have also been found on Canaan fir, primarily on the east side of the farm. At this stage, populations are low, but this is an important indicator of where infestations are established.

Symptoms can easily be confused with winter injury this time of year. Winter damage typically shows up as more uniform browning or bronzing on exposed portions of the tree, often on the windward side or upper canopy, and does not have a defined pattern on individual needles. In contrast, Cryptomeria scale feeding causes a more mottled or patchy yellowing, often progressing to needle drop, and may appear more scattered within the canopy rather than strictly exposure-related.

When scouting, turn needles over and use a hand lens to look along the underside. Cryptomeria scale will appear as very small, round, white to tan covers attached to the needle surface. These can be easy to miss without magnification, especially at low populations. Focus on interior needles and lower branches where infestations often begin.

As you identify problem areas, flag those trees or sections of the block now. Marking infestations early makes it much easier to come back at the right timing for control applications, whether targeting early-season activity or traditional crawler periods. Early detection and good records will improve control and help prevent the spread within the block.

General Observations

In York County, spruce spider mite eggs are being observed on needles, particularly on interior foliage. These overwintering eggs are small, round, and reddish, and their presence indicates populations are established and ready to hatch as temperatures continue to warm. This is a good time to identify hotspots and monitor closely, as hatch will occur over an extended period under cool spring conditions.

Hemlock scale has been observed on Korean fir. As with Cryptomeria scale, early detection is key. Populations may still be low and easy to overlook, so careful scouting is important to determine distribution and severity.

Overall, pest activity is just beginning to pick up. Now is the time to identify and map problem areas, monitor population development, and prepare for timely management as conditions become more favorable for pest activity.

Set Traps

Overall, pest activity remains low with the recent cool conditions, but it is expected to increase quickly as temperatures rise. Now is a good time to get ahead by setting traps for weevils and midges so you do not miss early emergence, which can throw off timing for control measures.

For weevils, a Tedder's trap can be used. This trap relies on an attractant mixture of turpentine and alcohol, which mimics host volatiles and draws in adult weevils. The bait is typically placed in a container or trap body positioned at ground level near susceptible trees. As adults become active, they are attracted to the scent and captured, giving an early indication of emergence before visible feeding damage occurs.

For Douglas fir needle midge, box traps are used to monitor adult emergence. These traps are placed on the ground beneath infested trees and consist of an emergence box or tent that captures adults as they come out of the soil. Adults are funneled or collected into a container or onto a sticky surface, allowing growers to track when emergence begins and peaks.

For those not using traps, closely monitoring growing degree days will be important. Current observations show a wide range in accumulated GDD, roughly from 31 to 74, reinforcing that conditions can vary significantly from site to site. Even differences such as north versus south-facing slopes can influence how quickly plants, insects, and diseases become active, so it is important for growers to track conditions within their own blocks.

Looking ahead to the coming week, Pennsylvania is set up for continued temperature swings with a warm push followed by a brief cool down, then a gradual return to more seasonable conditions. This back-and-forth pattern is typical for this time of year, but continues to move things forward biologically.

Soil temperatures are trending upward and are now approaching the upper 40s, with many areas around 47 degrees, which is right on the edge of increased root activity. As soils continue to warm, growers can expect more consistent uptake and overall tree response.

With these conditions, bud swell is expected to continue, and early elongation will begin soon, especially in lower elevation and warmer sites. This shift will also trigger increased activity across the board, including pest development and disease risk as we move into more active growth.

Overall, we are right at that transition point where things will begin to move quickly. Continued monitoring of both crop development and pest activity will be important as conditions shift week to week.

Next Report

The next scouting report will be available on April 2, 2026. Reminder, please submit observations anytime prior to Tuesday, March 31, 2026, by noon to Kelly Piccioni atkeg200@psu.eduto be included in the next report. As a reminder, you may also call into the hotline weekly for updates: 1-800-PENN-IPM (1-800-736-6476) option 5.