Farm Forestry New Zealand
PESTS AND DISEASES OF FORESTRY IN NEW ZEALAND
Diseases in the news - Red Needle Cast
Scion is the leading provider of forest-related knowledge in New Zealand
Formerly known as the Forest Research Institute, Scion has been a leader in research relating to forest health for over 50 years. The Rotorua-based Crown Research Institute continues to provide science that will protect all forests from damage caused by insect pests, pathogens and weeds. The information presented below arises from these research activities.
From Forest Health News 274, August 2017.
Many people would have noticed red needle cast in some radiata pine plantings ranging from the central North Island down to the hills surrounding Wellington this winter. A severe outbreak is occurring in the Manawatu- Tararua district, particularly along the Pahiatua Track, prompting concerns in the media that the trees are dying.
Based on our experience, stands that were once badly affected have not sustained high disease levels in the following year. The trees were green but thin crowned. Widespread mortality due to red needle cast is therefore highly unlikely.
Red needle cast has been confirmed from the Pahiatua Track previously, and outbreaks were recorded in 2010 and 2012. The symptoms this year look typical of red needle cast and we have no reason to believe that we have a new disease there. However, samples have been sent to our diagnostic lab as a precautionary measure.
Lindsay Bulman (Scion)
Red needle cast in the media: https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/ news/95447852/disease-takes-over-pine-trees-inpahiatua- but-councils-says-theres-nothing-to-be-done
A recent interview on red needle cast with Lindsay Bulman: http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ ruralnews/audio/201855046/morning-rural-news-for-17- august-2017
This information is intended for general interest only. It is not intended to be a substitute for specific specialist advice on any matter and should not be relied on for that purpose. Scion will not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or exemplary damages, loss of profits, or any other intangible losses that result from using the information provided on this site.
(Scion is the trading name of the New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited.)
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