Diplodia Blight Research Paper
Diplodia Blight of Pines or Diplodia Tip Blight, Sphaeropsis sapinea is a fungus that infects several varieties of pine trees such as the Jack, Red, Ornamental or Christmas tree. Diplodia blight causes major damage to two and three needles pines such as the Pinus nigra, Pinus mugo and Pinus sylvestris. Older tree over 25 years old are most susceptible to damage, while younger trees are hardier.
Typically, Diplodia blight starts out affecting the tips of the lower branches of the tree, and eventually spreads to the top. Infected new shoots, which are the most vulnerable, turn brown, stop growing and die off. Older shoots can become infected too if damaged.
The disease thrives in wet, cool weather beginning in Spring and continuing up