Lophodermella needle cast

Lophodermella concolor

Lophodermella needle cast occurs on lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) in the interior of British Columbia, especially in the Kootenay-Boundary region, and on shore pine (Pinus contorta var. contorta) in the West Coast region.

On this page:

• Description
• Host tree species
• Damage symptoms
• Management
• Identification images

Description

Lophodermella needle cast infects the current year's needles from spores released from the previous year's infected needles. Spore release and infection occur in June or July during periods of high humidity. There is limited external evidence of attack during the year of infection as the pathogen undergoes a period of vegetative growth within the host (needles remain green coloured) .

There are many species of Lophodermella that cause serious needle diseases on species of Pinus. Knowing in which host tree the disease occurs can help differentiate between species of Lophodermella; however, identification by skilled pathologists is often necessary.

Host tree species

Lodgepole pine in the interior of British Columbia and shore pine in coastal regions.

Damage symptoms

The discoloured needles from the previous year's infection will drop in early summer, leaving bare branches with the green needles on the current year's needles present, resulting in the characteristic "lion's tail" appearance to the branches.

Management

With many foliar and branch diseases, the maintenance of vigorous growing stock by thinning and encouragement of mixed stands, where practical, will help prevent growth loss due to Lophodermella. Ultimate control for foliar pathogens on both conifers and hardwoods will be achieved through the selection, breeding and use of disease resistant stock as there are no practical landscape-level management options.

Identification images

Further Reading

Read more about lophodermella needle cast in the Field Guide to Forest Damage in B.C. (PDF, 6.6MB)