Growth Changes in 20-year-old Sitka Spruce Picea sitchensis after Attack by the Green Spruce Aphid Elatobium abietinum

Following a severe attack by Elatobium abietinum (Walker) in1979–80, annual observations were made for 5 years on320 pole-size Sitka spruce in a nitrogen and phosphate experimentlaid out on oligotrophic blanket bog. Leader length was reduced by 25.5 per cent in 1980–81compared with the 3 previous years. This reduction was highlycorrelated with defoliation, being 39.4 per cent for trees thatlost all 1977–79 needles and 8.4 per cent in trees thatlost no needles. There were strong interactions with fertilizertreatment. Defoliated trees continued to grow less well duringthe 5 years of observations and were more likely to go intogrowth check. Early flushing trees suffered significantly less growth reductionfollowing defoliation. The same trees consistently broke budearly over 4 years of observations. Early bud burst was notcorrelated with height, girth or defoliation. No reattack by aphids was observed in the experiment until 1985–86and in this minor infestation the trees previously colonizedwere found to be significantly more likely to be recolonized. A novel measuring-rod for tree height is described.