Balsam fir tops missing

[PoginyHill]

I've noticed fir saplings that have their leading stem missing. I had assumed it was moose browse, but I'm wondering if there is an insect that could be doing this. These fir stand 6-7ft tall and based on the pitch leaking out, I'm guessing the damage was rather recent.



All these have missing leaders:

[KEC]

Seems like if it were moose or deer that they would have eaten the part missing. Maybe look on the ground for those tips. Possibly squirrel damage. I'm just speculating. SD would likely have an idea.

[SwampDonkey]

Moose will get into a fir thicket and chow down. I've seen them hold up in fir like that and by spring there are piles of poo several inches thick. They will usually eat all the greenery not just tips alone. Hare will eat the tips of smaller fir.  Squirrels will eat tips and flower buds in late winter and spring. Grouse will eat tips and male flower buds also, about 10% of their diet. I'm leaning toward red squirrel since it looks severed off. No moose poo around?
 Under the red pines here are lots of tips a squirrel snipped last fall for the cones.

[KEC]

SD, I  knew that the origional post was right down your alley, or woods trail as the case may be. I like to read your posts on such subjects.

[PoginyHill]

No significant sign of moose lately, but have seen plenty in prior years. There have always been lots of fir tips from mature trees on the snow surface, but I haven't noticed just the leading stems being cut off like this before. At least to this extent.

[Southside]

Likely the eclipse did it.