There is a genetic basis to resistance of open-grown white spruce trees to their primary pest, the spruce bud moth, Zeiraphera canadensis Mutt. & Free. Resistance is attributable to late budburst and unknown factors associated with higher predation and parasitism of eggs and mortality of old larvae. Results suggest that tree resistance could be incorporated with other silvicultural procedures into an integrated management program for white spruce. Key words: White spruce, spruce bud moth, tree resistance, silviculture, pest management