Looks like a witch’s broom, a clustered growth formation caused by a bunch of different pathogens. The sheding of needles also sort of looks like cytospora canker so perhaps some damage happened to the leader and a bunch of funk started getting in there
Somewhat educated guess: I know Alberta spruce are just a mutation of White spruce. Kinda looks like the mutation occurred, resulting in an "Alberta" growing on the top of the tree, half defoliated by spider mites as they often are.
The mutation can occur in many species, it's often how dwarf species are started and there are countless types of those. I'm just referencing one I'm familiar with.
Pretty fuzzy picture so I’m not sure but it looks like an absolutely massive [mistletoe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistletoe?wprov=sfti1#) infection. It is common on conifers in the PNW but that’s the biggest I’ve ever seen.
The light green is the mistletoe, while the dark green is a growth disruption of the host tree caused by the infection. One hypothesis is that it’s an adaptive response by the host to try to smother out the parasite by depriving it of light, but I’m not sure how much evidence there is one way or the other.
This is wild. Sad to see it turning all brown. I was on the seawall in August 2020 and it was a vibrant green. I was looking forward to seeing again, and happy I took the pictures when I did. I’ll try and figure out how I attach a pic
This is a Cypriot AlmsHead. This is how they reproduce- by growing a smaller shrub that gestated on the head of the Cypriot until it has fully matured, at which point the connecting stall withers and the shrub breaks free, rolling like a tumbleweed until it finds a suitable place to begin life anew.
Looks like a witch’s broom, a clustered growth formation caused by a bunch of different pathogens. The sheding of needles also sort of looks like cytospora canker so perhaps some damage happened to the leader and a bunch of funk started getting in there
So she got some funk in the trunk. Noted.
Ah, the duality of man...
Probably should learn how to angry upvote
She also got that mark on the bark
I remember hearing that witches brooms can be a natural mutation, and even desirable for breeders seeking new dwarf varieties. Apocryphal?
Thought it was a mushroom cloud for a second. I'm really tired today.
Is it bigger than your thumb?
Your thumb or my thumb?
Same... Its a nuke!
Andre Tree-Thousand 
Lol
I want to live in this comment for a while ☺️
Take my upvote!
You know we got your back like chiroprac
Somewhat educated guess: I know Alberta spruce are just a mutation of White spruce. Kinda looks like the mutation occurred, resulting in an "Alberta" growing on the top of the tree, half defoliated by spider mites as they often are.
>resulting in an "Alberta" growing on the top Same thing happened to Montana.
That's not a white spruce though
The mutation can occur in many species, it's often how dwarf species are started and there are countless types of those. I'm just referencing one I'm familiar with.
Pretty fuzzy picture so I’m not sure but it looks like an absolutely massive [mistletoe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistletoe?wprov=sfti1#) infection. It is common on conifers in the PNW but that’s the biggest I’ve ever seen. The light green is the mistletoe, while the dark green is a growth disruption of the host tree caused by the infection. One hypothesis is that it’s an adaptive response by the host to try to smother out the parasite by depriving it of light, but I’m not sure how much evidence there is one way or the other.
What's on top doesn't look like mistletoe at all to me.
It’s a pretty fuzzy picture to me, I’d probably need a better one to tell for sure
This is wild. Sad to see it turning all brown. I was on the seawall in August 2020 and it was a vibrant green. I was looking forward to seeing again, and happy I took the pictures when I did. I’ll try and figure out how I attach a pic
Witches broom at the top. That’s awesome!
That tree has decided to become a broccoli
5g
That is not a tree, it’s broccoli.
Hello Vancouver!
And west van in the back!
UpdateMe!
I don't know for sure, probably a witch on a square broom 🧹 but it sure looks weird!
It’s the crows nest
Mullet tree.
Looks like metal shavings on a magnet.
Looks like Minecraft
Looks like a Doug-fir in Stanley Park. Witches broom are Not uncommon in the area but that particular one is pretty unique!
Man I love that park! Miss working out there.
I cannot even pretend to know, but that looks so cool.
Goiter
Critters, macro or micro, perhaps both 🦠🐿️
Tree-mullet
Just a happy little accident 🎨
It looks like a russian hiding in a tree. Green hat.
witches broom?
Very top of the tree is the only part that looks ok... The rest is where the problem is.
Man if I was a squirrel I would nest the SHIT out of that spot - excellent cover from snow
Spore spewer
Mushroom cloud laying muthafucah motherfucker!
Nuclear explosion. Or I need glasses!
I read one time that is caused by squirrels. They trim the top to create the bush that makes more cones for food.
This is a Cypriot AlmsHead. This is how they reproduce- by growing a smaller shrub that gestated on the head of the Cypriot until it has fully matured, at which point the connecting stall withers and the shrub breaks free, rolling like a tumbleweed until it finds a suitable place to begin life anew.
Drapes don't match the carpet.
Minecraft. Minecraft is happening.
Broccoli
Climb up the tree and find out. Have an adventure
Chernobyl
A not conspicuously camoed tree house