robins and greckles...

perching on the highest spot they can find ...

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link

White Pine Weevil is another possibility.

But don't give up yet, the terminal bud is usually the last one to open, can be a week or more after the other buds have opened.

Resin

with resins suggestion.. the whole bud branch dies down ... since the bug attacks at the base of it ... see link pix ....

in the bird scenario .... most of the other buds at the top bud out.. but the leader bud is somehow damaged ...

i was walking around the other day.. and found at least 3 pungens that had 2 or 3 year or double leaders ...

dont forget... there is no hurry to cut out duplicates .;.. and in fact.. trying to do it too fast has caused me to incur more damage than i could fix... when trying to do it with small and tender growth ...

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link

- the terminal bud is usually the last one to open -

Often the case with abies too. Is there a reason for it?

Abies alba 'Brinar' on many of it's side branches as well as the leader

i just realized.. after a decade or so ...

that the robins favor the pungens for nests ...

soooo.. and here is the brilliant insight ... lol .. that is why they perch on the top. surveying their domain ...

go figure..

ken