White Pine Blister Rust - White Pine Blister Rust Disease

White pine blister rust is the most serious disease of white pine in Maine. Its most commonly observed symptom is the presence of cankered (dead and sunken) areas on tree trunks and branches. Pitch commonly flows from these cankered areas and, in May, conspicuous yellowish-orange spores may be produced (image). Infected small trees are usually killed quickly, but large trees may survive for many years. In the woodlot the disease strikes indiscriminately, often taking the best crop trees or trees at critical spacings. White pine blister rust may effectively eliminate white pine regeneration on some sites.

MAINE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
Maine Forest Service - Forest Health and Monitoring Division
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