We often talk about tree diseases that are quite common in the Kansas City area on our blog, and today we’re going to talk about needlecast. Needlecast is a disease that typically affects pine and spruce species.
According to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), needlecast is a fungal disease that affects the “newly elongated needles of the current season’s shoots.” Most often, symptoms of needlecast appear during the winter or summer after the tree has been infected. Infected needles have chlorotic spots that usually are tan or reddish in appearance. The needles drop, or are “cast,” to leave only one year’s compliment of needles on the tree after infection.
Needlecast in pine species is usually caused by Lophoderium seditiosium, which is a very aggressive pathogen that attacks current needles, according to OMAFRA. In spruces, Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii is the causal agent of needlecast.
Cartwright Tree Care can help you in the event that you suspect that a pine or spruce in your yard is infected with needlecast. Contact us for a correct diagnosis and treatment options.
Image courtesy of Fs.fed.us