Thank you very much, Timothy. I'll print out the page and keep it on
file. I have a horticultural soap spray I can use (Bioneem). The
only problem would be to somehow knock the snow off the tree to spray
it. But I'm determined! These same trees bent over last year after a
severe ice storm and I propped them back up. They're looking fine
now.

Timothy wrote in message news:1099851896.
This sounds very much like the spruce aphid damage.
http://gardening.wsu.edu/column/07-09-00.htm
I see this quite a bit here in washington state, unsure how badly this
will affect you in pennsylvania though. As far as your brother-in-law is
concerned, I *highly* suggest that he contacts the local Ag officer in his
county. This is what they are there for. If he doen't get a handle on it
quickly it could mean thousands of dollars of loss to his business.

There are other insects that could cause this damage. The spruce
spider mite:
http://bugs.osu.edu/~bugdoc/Shetlar/...pider_mite.htm

or possiblity of the balsam tree aphid:
http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/en.../baltwaph.html

At this time am I unaware of a disease that will cause this type of
damage as you describe it.
Better luck to you.