Diplodia Tip Blight of Pine (PPFS-OR-W-21)
Diplodia tip blight is a serious disease of landscape pines in Kentucky, resulting in needle death and dieback. Austrian (Pinus nigra), Scots (P. sylvestris), and Mugo (P. mugo) pines are most commonly affected. As branch dieback progresses upward in diseased pines, trees may become so disfigured and unsightly that they should be removed from landscapes. Severe infections that occur during consecutive years weaken and eventually kill affected pines.
A new fact sheet covering the symptoms, cause, and spread of tip blight was released earlier this year. High quality color images enhance the text and provide aids to diagnosis. Suggestions on managing and reducing the risk of tip blight disease are also included.
Diplodia Tip Blight of Pine (PPFS-OR-W-21) is available online.
For additional publications on landscape diseases, visit the UK Plant Pathology Extension Publications webpage.
By Nicole Ward Gauthier, Extension Plant Pathologist
Kentucky Pest News 