Tip Blight

This disease is most commonly seen on Austrian, Black, Mugo, Red, and Scots pine.  The pathogen infects and kills current year’s shoots.  The infected needles turn yellow, then brown and die.  The fungus stays present throughout the year in dead needles, twigs, and cones located on the tree or on the ground.  The diseased spores are scattered by wind, splashing rain, animals, or pruning equipment.  If left untreated the disease will eventually kill mature trees.