Open AccessImpact of Pitch Canker on Ornamental Monterey Pines in Santa Cruz County, California, U.S., 1987-2000
Author(s) -
David M. Owen,
David Adams
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
arboriculture and urban forestry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 2155-0778
pISSN - 1935-5297
DOI - 10.48044/jauf.2001.033
Subject(s) - canker , ornamental plant , outbreak , pinus radiata , biology , radiata , botany , horticulture , demography , forestry , geography , vigna , virology , sociology
Long-term observations of ornamental Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) showed that pitch canker severity varies considerably from one tree to the next and over time. Most Monterey pines proved susceptible to the disease, but many sustained only light to moderate levels of infection and some never developed any disease symptoms. We developed a rating system that proved useful in assessing pitch canker's impact. Although the majority of trees sustained heavy levels of infection, mortality was not a foregone conclusion for even the most heavily damaged trees. After an initial outbreak of pitch canker activity, the incidence of new infections decreased and eventually dropped to an undetectable level. Trees are now recovering in the absence of new infections. Application of this information will contribute to better predictions of disease impact. It should not be presumed that pitch canker will necessarily result in a high rate of mortality among Monterey pines.