What is Diplodia shoot blight and canker? 

Diplodia shoot blight and canker (formerly Sphaeropsis shoot blight and canker) is one of the most common fungal diseases of Austrian pine in Wisconsin.  This disease can also affect other pines including red, jack, Scots and mugo pine, as well as other conifers including cedars, cypresses, firs, junipers and spruces.

What does Diplodia shoot blight and canker look like? 

Initially, affected branch tips may ooze a large amount of resin.  Eventually, these branch tips brown and die, with dead needles on these branches having varying lengths.  As the disease progresses, sunken or swollen, discolored areas (called cankers) may form on infected twigs.  Diplodia shoot blight and canker can be distinguished from damage from boring insects (where there also may be heavy resin flow) by an absence of any tunneling.

Where does Diplodia shoot blight and canker come from? 

Diplodia shoot blight and canker is caused by several fungi in the genus Diplodia.  These fungi include Diplodia sapinea (formerly known as Diplodia pinea and Sphaeropsis sapinea), which has historically been cited as the cause of the disease on Austrian pine.  However, this fungus is only one of several Diplodia species that can cause problems on this host.  Diplodia fungi survive in infected shoots and pinecones where they form small, black fruiting bodies (i.e., reproductive structures) that produce brown-colored spores.

How do I save a tree with Diplodia shoot blight and canker? 

Immediately remove and destroy diseased branch tips.  Also, where possible, remove and destroy pinecones that have fallen from infected trees.  Dispose of these materials by burning (where allowed by local ordinance) or burying them.

When pruning, cut branches six to eight inches below the point where they are obviously infected.  Prune only in dry weather.  Between cuts, decontaminate pruning tools by treating them for at least 30 seconds with 70% alcohol (e.g., rubbing alcohol, certain spray disinfectants), or a 10% bleach solution (i.e., one part of a disinfecting bleach and nine parts water).  Decontaminating tools is important to help prevent accidental movement of Diplodia fungi from branch to branch during pruning.  If you decide to use bleach, be sure to rinse your tools thoroughly after pruning and then oil them to prevent rusting.

How do I avoid problems with Diplodia shoot blight and canker in the future?  

Avoid planting Austrian pines; plant other types of evergreens instead.  Minimize any stresses on established Austrian pines.  Water trees adequately, particularly during dry periods.  Established trees should receive approximately one inch of water per week from the time that the ground thaws in the spring, through the summer and into the fall up until the ground freezes or there is a significant snowfall.  New transplants (i.e., conifers planted within three years) require approximately two inches of water per week.  During periods with insufficient rain, apply water at the drip lines of trees (i.e., the edges of where the branches extend) using a drip or soaker hose.

When planting trees, be sure to allow ample space for roots to grow, avoid compacting the soil around trees, and make sure there is adequate soil drainage.  Mulch trees to at least their drip lines with a high-quality mulch (e.g., shredded oak bark mulch, red cedar mulch).  Use one to two inches on heavier (e.g., clay) soils.  Use three to four inches on lighter (e.g., sandy) soils.  Keep mulch approximately four inches from tree trunks.  DO NOT fertilize new transplants, and fertilize established conifers only when a soil fertility test indicates that fertilization is needed.  DO NOT overfertilize, particularly with nitrogen.

Finally, you may want to apply fungicides to help prevent infections.  Apply fungicides only after you have pruned out diseased branches as described above.  Fungicides prevent infections but do not cure existing infections.  Alternate use of fungicides containing thiophanate-methyl and chlorothalonil that are labeled for use on conifers.  Start applications at bud break and continue at 14 day intervals until full shoot elongation.  DO NOT use thiophanate-methyl alone.  Overuse of thiophanate-methyl can potentially select for variants of Diplodia that will no longer be controlled by this active ingredient.  Be sure to read and follow all label instructions of the fungicides that you select to ensure that you use the products in the safest and most effective manner possible.

For more information on Diplodia shoot blight and canker: 

Contact the University of Wisconsin Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic (PDDC) at (608) 262-2863 or pddc@wisc.edu.

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What is Rhizosphaera needle cast? 

Rhizosphaera needle cast is the most common disease of Colorado blue spruce in Wisconsin, making Colorado blue spruce unsightly and unusable in many landscape settings.  The disease also affects other conifers including black, Engelmann, Serbian, Sitka, and white (e.g., Black Hills) spruce; Austrian, mugo and eastern white pine; Douglas-fir, balsam fir and western hemlock.

What does Rhizosphaera needle cast look like? 

The first noticeable symptom of Rhizosphaera needle cast is purpling or browning and loss of the innermost needles on lower branches of spruce trees.  Often, the youngest needles at the tips of branches remain healthy.  Rows of small, black spheres form along the length of infected needles and are visible with a 10X hand lens.  These black spheres are fruiting bodies (i.e., reproductive structures) of the fungus that causes the disease and are diagnostic.

Where does Rhizosphaera needle cast come from? 

Rhizosphaera needle cast is typically caused by the fungus Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii, although other species of Rhizosphaera can be involved depending on the host.  Infected needles, including those that are still attached to branches and those that have fallen to the ground, produce spores that can be blown or splashed to healthy needles.

How do I save a tree or shrub with Rhizosphaera needle cast? 

Consider treating affected trees with fungicides labeled for use on evergreens and containing copper or chlorothalonil.  Treatments will not cure existing infections, but can prevent additional infections.  Apply treatments every three to four weeks starting as new needles emerge each spring.  Continue applications through periods of wet weather.  For fungicide treatments to be effective, thoroughly cover all needles.  This may be difficult on large trees.  Be sure to read and follow all label instructions of the fungicide that you select to ensure that you use the product in the safest and most effective manner possible.

How do I avoid problems with Rhizosphaera needle cast in the future? 

The easiest way to avoid Rhizosphaera needle cast is to avoid planting Colorado blue spruce.  If you do plant this tree, consider using dwarf varieties, and allow adequate spacing between trees so that branches will not overlap when they are full size.  Dwarf varieties and properly spaced larger spruce varieties will have better air penetration and needles will dry more quickly.  Dry needles are less likely to be infected.  Check existing spruce trees for the disease, and remove and destroy any diseased branches and needles by burning (where allowed by local ordinance), burying or hot composting.

For more information on Rhizosphaera needle cast: 

Contact the University of Wisconsin Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic (PDDC) at (608) 262-2863 or pddc@wisc.edu.

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