Pine Needle Cast - Pine Needle Cast Disease

ophodermella concolor (Dearn.) Darker
(= Hypodermella concolor (Dearn.) Darker)

Ascomycotina, Rhytismatales, Hypodermataceae

Hosts: Lophodermella concolor is restricted to "hard" or "two-needle" pine species. In B.C., pine needle cast has been reported on lodgepole, ponderosa, and Scots pine.

Distribution: This disease is common in all regions of the province, particularly in the southern interior.

Identification: Infected stands have reddish discoloured foliage in May and June, turning straw-coloured by July (Figs. 53a, 53b). As the summer progresses, diseased needles on previous years growth are shed while new growth remains giving branches a "lion's tail" appearance (Fig. 53c).

Natural Resources Canada