Rhizosphaera Needlecast

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Needles of Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens) dropping due to rhizosphaera needlecast disease

Rhizosphaera needlecast is caused by the fungus, Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii. The disease causes death and casting (dropping) of needles in spruces, especially Colorado spruce and occasionally white spruce. It is usually first evident on the lower branches of the tree and can cause severe defoliation and death of branches if allowed to persist. It rarely kills the tree.

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