Thank you for your help. Foliage traits (needle retention, crown density and color) are reasonable indicators of SNC tolerance, but appear to be under less genetic control to a lesser degree than growth rates (height, volume, DBH, and DBH increment). Colorado and Engelmann spruce are very susceptible, but Norway and white spruce are somewhat resistant. Tolerance refers to a trees ability to grow well in the presence of disease, while resistance refers to the trees ability to avoid or prevent infection. 2003). Unfortunately, there are a number of pests (disease and insects) that affect trees. Northwest Tree Improvement Cooperative Website, College of Forestry, Oregon State University, Quantification, Assessment, and Severity Prediction, Tree Genetics, Resistance, and Improvement, Integrated Pest Management & Silviculture. Growth of the fungal pathogen from the spots on the needle will cause the death of the entire needle. However, infected needles often don’t show symptoms right away, and may take one to three years to develop. Control weeds and other vegetation from encroaching around the base of trees to encourage air circulation among and light penetration to the lower branches. Needle cast is a broad group of fungal diseases that cause conifers to shed needles. Young trees sustain the most severe damage, but trees of any size can be affected. I would like to know what would be a good evergreen to plant to help screen my home from my neighbors. (2002) found needle retention a good predictor for growth loss at the stand level, and crown density may be the single best predictor (Johnson 2002). This will minimize moisture retention on the foliage and will decrease the likelihood of disease development. A broad range of fungal diseases that cause foliar discoloration and needle loss in conifers are known as needlecasts and needle blights. If you can tell me more about your site (soil, drainage, etc.) Instead, consider planting Norway spruce, which is resistant. I live in Washtenaw county and many of my neighbors evergreen trees are dying from needle cast diseases. We were planning to plant some Norway spruce trees to help screen our house from the neighbors, but it appears that Norway spruce can also get needle cast problems. This is, in part, because all Douglas-fir trees are susceptible to infection by P. gaeumannii, but there is some evidence that Douglas-fir sourced from dry, inland areas experience relatively more fungal colonization than Douglas-fir from wetter, coastal locations. I am looking for advice on something that can grow to be 18-20 feet or taller and is evergreen year round for screening purposes, but is also hardy against the current needlecast problems in the area. Since growth-increment data are not always readily available for use in breeding programs, foliage traits can be a valuable tool, particularly for early-selections. White spruce and other conifers, like pine and fir, are also susceptible. Plan for the mature size of the tree(s) when spacing plants, or plan to remove trees as they begin to intermingle lower branches. Gaining tree genetic information in relation to Swiss needle cast (SNC) is an important component of programs designed to develop Douglas-fir seed sources with genetic tolerant to SNC. Avoid planting highly susceptible species in low or shady areas where humidity and moisture remain high for prolonged periods. If you have seen trees affected by needle cast disease in the area, avoid planting this highly susceptible tree. The first step is to get a reliable diagnosis. Don’t plant trees to close together. volume growth or disease tolerance) between families, 2.) This shedding of needles can be more serious to conifers than losing leaves is to deciduous The likelihood of having success with any tree can be improved by choosing trees that are correct for you site. Plant spruce trees on sites with acidic, moist, well drained soils and full sun. Here is a link to a publication to look at some options. A spruce exhibiting discoloration and loss of foliage as a result of needlecast. Early testing of seedlings can eliminate poorly performing families at seedling stage before further testing, and allow for rapid screening of large numbers of already selected families so that the most SNC tolerant individuals can be used for seed orchards (Temel 2005). The symptoms of needle cast first appear on needles as light green to yellow spots, which eventually turn red or brown. Minimize stress to the trees by water during periods of drought. Maguire et al. Evergreen tree resistant from needlecast disease . https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/alternative_conifers_for_michigan_landscapes. The primary goals of tree improvement are to determine: 1.) if there is evidence of variation in economically important traits (i.e. Although the needles become infected symptoms of disease often are not visible until the following winter or spring season. Tolerance to SNC, not resistance, seems to be the important factor in genetic variation in SNC symptoms following infection by P. gaeumannii (Temel et al. 2005; Fig. Infected needles may then turn yellow or brown with characteristic dark fungal fruiting structures. I would like to know what would be a good evergreen to plant to help screen my home from my neighbors. Asked October 3, 2019, 10:53 AM EDT. Of the foliage traits, crown density is seen as a better indicator of SNC tolerance than needle retention (Johnson 2002). 1). However, little differences in susceptibility were observed between Douglas-fir seedlings from different locations in the Oregon Coast Range. Rhizosphaera needle cast is caused by fungal pathogens within the genus Rhizosphaera.This genus also infects several conifer species including; fir, cedar, spruce, and pine Ask an Expert is made up of groups and individual experts. Rhizosphaera needle cast disease is caused by the fungus Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii Bubak. While visually unappealing, these diseases rarely lead to tree mortality on their own. Key site factors for conifers are full sunlight, good air movement and excellent soil drainage. Rhizosphaera needle cast is the most common disease on spruce trees that is received in the Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic. if economically important traits are linked or can be inherited together, and 3) the degree of genetic control over the desired traits. Plant Norway (P. abies) or white spruce (P. glauca) as they are more resistant to Rhizosphaera needle cast. Trees planted on poor sites are more likely to be infected with Rhizosphaera needle cast due to stressful conditions. Selection of Douglas-fir genotypes with shorter needle longevity could increase forest productivity by removing infected needles sooner, thus limiting the net drain on carbon assimilation and growth (Manter et al. 2004; Temel et al. Field identification is based on symptoms, but accurate identification requires laboratory analysis.Healthy spruce trees will retain 5 or more years of needles. Gaining tree genetic information in relation to Swiss needle cast (SNC) is an important component of programs designed to develop Douglas-fir seed sources with genetic tolerant to SNC. and if you had a soil test to look at the pH we can make better recommendations. Follow proper planting practices. Major research findings involving Swiss needle cast and its causal agent: All cited publications are available on this website. I live in Washtenaw county and many of my neighbors evergreen trees are dying from needle cast diseases. Needle cast diseases are caused by various fungi that infect the new needles on pines, spruce, Douglas fir, and true fir. We were planning to plant some Norway spruce trees to help screen our house from the … Rhizosphaera needle cast is a fungal disease, caused by Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii that attacks the needles of Colorado blue spruce in the spring, as new needles emerge. When planting new trees in the landscape, space them to allow for optimum air circulation and sunlight penetration into the trees interior. Follow proper irrigation practices; keep water off the foliage. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/alternative_conifers_for_michigan_landscapes. 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