Mugo pest problem

[RoadManDenDron]

I bought this mugo at a bootsale and when loading the van noticed many ants crawling in the bark,

When I followed them I didn't really see any aphids

I gave the tree a once over with a systemic insecticide (I'm in the UK so what we have available is not as powerful as elsewhere in the world)

I'm just wondering if this is fassicles or woolies at the branch tips? Or something else? Feels a bit sap sticky

Help identifying and dealing with greatly appreciated

 

[RODERLO]

Mugo buds naturally have drops of resin on them.

Yours looks healthy. Ants crawl up into all of my trees randomly, ever so often. This year we’re having a lot more ants than usual.

 

[RoadManDenDron]

Mugo buds naturally have drops of resin on them.

Yours looks healthy. Ants crawl up into all of my trees randomly, ever so often. This year we’re having a lot more ants than usual.

Thank you!

I admit there is some sooty mold looking stuff so there have BEEN pests, hopefully just aphids

The sap had me worried for borers

Any tips for the soot?

 

[Paradox]

Thank you!

I admit there is some sooty mold looking stuff so there have BEEN pests, hopefully just aphids

The sap had me worried for borers

Any tips for the soot?

Where is the soot? Didnt notice any in those pictures?

 

[RoadManDenDron]

Where is the soot? Didnt notice any in those pictures?

Sorry it was late when I seen this,

I didn't take pics yesterday of the soot but here you go,

Appears to be worse or only on a low branch


Interestingly the branches its on appear to have very little bud for next year

I am feeding heavy now in the hopes of following Vance's advice for when you only get one bud, pinch out bud by end of August

Any advice on this also appreciated

 

[Shibui]

White at the base of needles and buds is normal.
Black on the older needles does appear to be sooty mould which is a fungus that lives on honeydew - the sweet secretions of several different sucking pests. Check carefully for hidden pests like scale but it is likely the pests have been dealt with. Sooty mould is difficult to remove, even when it is dead, so the black is likely to remain on those older needles for some time.

Probably not much else you can do apart from keeping an eye in case the pests return/ hatch from eggs, etc.