Needle Diseases of Conifer

A Technical Report from The Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories

Needlecast and needle blight are terms applied to a variety of foliage disorders of many coniferous species. These diseases are usually more severe on young trees or on trees growing outside of their natural range. Disease severity and corresponding defoliation vary from year to year depending on climatic conditions. Although few trees die as a result of infection and defoliation, these diseases are considered serious because of the unsightly condition and loss of vigor of affected trees.