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Cytospora Canker of Spruce

June 2, 1999

Although we see this disease all year, it seems most prevalent in the spring when trees are being cleaned up and recently discovered dead wood is removed. When a spruce is brought to the Plant Clinic, the only two disease concerns are Rhizosphaera needle cast (discussed in issue no. 3, 1999) and Cytospora canker. Both are fungal diseases, and both can be identified without the aid of a lab.

Colorado blue and Norway spruce, especially 10- to 20-year-old trees, are very susceptible to Cytospora canker. Look for dead or dying branches, usually starting at the base of the tree and moving upward, at a rate of one or two branches per year. Occasionally, affected branches are scattered throughout the tree. Needles may drop from affected branches early or they could hang on for several months, leaving dry, brittle twigs. Cytospora canker can continue to spread until all branches or even the entire tree is dead. A white, sappy resin is usually associated with cankered branches. Look for this resin at the base of the branch or at axils of smaller branchlets. When the bark is cut away, the wood beneath it will be brown (dead), indicating infection by the fungus. Black, pinhead-sized fruiting bodies (pycnidia) of the fungus form in the inner bark, often embedded in the resin, but they can be very difficult to find without the aid of a dissecting microscope. Because the girdling canker kills the branch, the entire branch dies from tip to base.

Cytospora, like most canker diseases, is considered a stress pathogen, meaning that the fungus only infects trees under stress. Technically, such a tree is one that is not growing under ideal conditions. Stress factors could include a limited root zone, moisture extremes, root compaction, chemical injury, nearby construction, insect or mite problems, and more. There are no magical fungicide cures for this disease. Disease management should focus on determining the source of stress and then trying to alleviate it. At the very least, remove dead wood, water the tree in periods of drought, and fertilize in the fall.

How do you determine whether a tree is infected with Rhizosphaera needle cast or with Cytospora canker? Look at the overall damage pattern. Rhizosphaera occurs on scattered branches on the tree, while Cytospora tends to occur on lower branches and move up the tree. Also look at the pattern on a single branch. Rhizosphaera affects newest needles last; Cytospora girdles the stem, causing newest needles to turn brown first. Finally, look for resin, which is present with Cytospora but not with Rhizosphaera. For more information on Cytospora canker of spruce, consult Report on Plant Disease No. 604.


Author: Nancy Pataky

 

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