This young tree, a Douglas Fir nearly a decade in age, began showing signs of illness in the summer of 2003, the tips turning yellow.
I was concerned that there was a disease that might spread.
I could never find any sign of bugs. No nesting webs, no little black spots.
It didn't seem to be the so-called Swiss Needle Cast that is beginning to kill fir trees in the area.
(Swiss not at fault, by the way).
On this day, 01-22-05, I poked my head in underneath the branches and took a close look for any clues, twisting owl-like to see the underside of the needles.
No tell-tale signs there.