Diplodia
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Problem with tree(s)
Diplodia needle blight (tip blight) is a very fatal fungus that has been affecting several species of trees in Minnesota. This fungus is very unique in the way that it first spreads into new growth on trees, and kills it. In the picture to the right diplodia is killing off the new shoot of this Scotch pine.
Tip blight is now becoming a very common disease in pine trees due to its method of spreading to other trees. While no tree is immune to this disease some trees take diplodia much worse and can be devastated in a short period of time. Austrian and Scotch pines seem to showsigns of the disease far faster, and the rate of spread is quicker in these trees.
The disease is spread via spore and is active for most of the spring, summer, and fall. The picture on the bottom right shows the fungus is starting to fruit where spots appear. The section of the needle forms a white powdery substance over the spot and the spores are spread through the air. This makes this disease extremely easy to spread within the tree and to other trees nearby.
Treatment
Tip blight has a bunch of different methods to treat for it, and a plan should be made to ensure the tree remain in good health. A plan, including fungicide treatments, should be carried out annually on trees with over 50% of the canopy left. Due to the nature of the disease early spring control must be done to prevent spread within new growth.
Watering and fertilization are also good methods to help establigh vigor in affected trees.
