Pine trees are among the most common varieties of evergreen in North America. But like all trees, even they are susceptible to disease.
Some of these diseases are minor, causing nothing more than discolored needles, whereas others are more severe, shortening the tree’s lifespan or even killing it.
Today, we’re going to take a closer look at some of the most common pine tree diseases.
Cyclaneusma Needlecast
Affecting Mugho Scots and Austrian pines, this relatively common disease is caused by Cyclaneusma minus. It’s characterized by the brown bands wrapping around the pine tree that later form fungal structures.
Cyclaneusma needlecast most commonly affect pine trees in humid, moist conditions. So if you’re worried that one or more of your pines is suffering from this disease, ensure proper air circulation around the tree by removing excess brush, weeds and plant growth.
Diplodia Tip Blight
This is another common pine tree disease. Diplodia tip blight is characterized by seeping resin from open wounds at the base of new shoots.
The canker openings typically occur first on the branches lower to the base of the tree, at which point they gradually move upwards before taking over the entire pine.
Unfortunately, the only effective solution for dealing with Diplodia tip blight is to remove the injected shoots and quarantine the injected tree until it has cleared.
Needle Rust
Needle rust is a disease in which two and three-needled pines form pustules on their needles. Over time, these pustules enlarge before popping open and releasing fungal spores that infect other nearby trees.
The good news is that needle rust typically poses no significant threat to the pine tree. The bad news, however, is that it can quickly spread once the characteristic pustules pop and release its fungal spores.
Pine-Pine Gall Rust
This disease begins with the formation of galls on the pine tree’s branches. Like needle rust, these galls enlarge over time, growing to several inches in diameter.
After about 1 to 1.5 years, the large galls burst and release yellow spores that inject other pine trees. Neem oil has been proven a safe and effective form of treatment for pine-pine gall rust.
These are just a few of the most common diseases from which pine trees suffer.
The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.
If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or
Very interesting article. Do you often get a lot of sick trees in your area? How long does it take on average for the diplodia to pass with a tree under quarantine? Thanks!
Tom
I didn’t realize that there were so many diseases that could infect trees. We have three big pines in our backyard, along with a bunch of other trees. Will needle rust pose a significant threat to the other trees if it spreads? What can we do to treat this? Thanks for the information!
No arborist likes taking down trees if not absolutely necessary. They provide so much to our daily lives but sick trees with diseases do come about and there simply isn’t much you can do but remove them in a timely manner.
Awesome read thank you. I agree with nathan I love trees however sometimes the best thing to do is take it down to protect the immediate property or family that resides on said property.
One thing that I really hate is to see beautiful trees cut down that don’t need to be. I have seen it too many times that people cut down trees when they don’t have to. I try to talk them out of it, and sometimes they change their minds but it is very sad to see. Now a sick tree on the other hand can spread diseases to the other trees so not really much you can do at that point.