What is this on scots pine xmas trees?

[RoadManDenDron]

There is a bit of a craze in the UK online bonsai scene of buying these fairly cheap scots pine Xmas trees and seeing what we can make of them,

I bought a couple but I have absolutely no idea what this white stuff is on all of the candles,

Research on here points to maybe adelgids however it looks more like paint or maybe bird shit but it is literally all over the trees!

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

It's just resin. Nothing to worry about.
Buds excrete some resin when entering dormancy to try and stop grazing, insects and prevent ice damage.
Sometimes a little, sometimes a lot.

If it's not actively oozing from a hole, I wouldn't worry. If it is actively oozing from a hole, take that bud and disect it: there can be a larva inside.

 

[BobbyLane]

Im not clued up on the craze, what does a Christmas tree Scots pine even look like?

 

[queenofsheba52]

^^agree with @Wires_Guy_wires , we see lots of that on our pine trees here in Michigan.
Is smells really Christmas-y!

 

[BobbyLane]

Was curious so googled it

 

[yashu]

Was curious so googled it

Seems like it would be fun to mess around with… for about $60. I guess that would be the “over the pond” equivalent of our blue spruce in a red bucket here in the states. I think I’d rather have the pine.

 

[BobbyLane]

Seems like it would be fun to mess around with… for about $60. I guess that would be the “over the pond” equivalent of our blue spruce in a red bucket here in the states. I think I’d rather have the pine.

I didnt even know you could get Scots as Xmas trees until now, we have all the Spruces like you at this time of year, recently bought a Norway spruce. Prices are usually reasonable this time of year I paid £24.99 for a big tall trunk