New Fact Sheet on Littleleaf Disease Released
A new fact sheet outlining the history and causes of littleleaf disease was recently released by the Shortleaf Pine Initiative, the Southern Forest Health and Invasive Species Program (FHIS), and Southern Regional Extension Forestry.
New Fact Sheet Release: Littleleaf disease: Biology, ecology, and management in southern pines
Littleleaf disease is a forest health concern for several pine species in the southeastern U.S. Shortleaf pine, in particular, is highly susceptible to the disease. A new fact sheet outlining the history and causes of littleleaf disease, the symptoms used for identification, and management recommendations was recently released by the Shortleaf Pine Initiative, the Southern Forest Health and Invasive Species Program (FHIS), and Southern Regional Extension Forestry.
Excerpt: Littleleaf disease develops when P. cinnamomi, a fungal-like organism (specifically, a water mold), infects the fine roots of susceptible southern pine trees. Symptoms of the disease can be misdiagnosed as nutritional deficiencies or may appear as the after effects of bark beetle attack. On average, trees die six years after the first symptoms appear but mortality can occur within a year on poor sites. Susceptible trees are most at risk on sites within the historic littleleaf range, and especially when soils are severely eroded and have poor internal drainage. Other risk factors include low soil nitrogen content, which aids in root growth, and the presence of the fungal Pythium species, which can damage fine roots.
Littleleaf disease caused devastating losses to shortleaf pine during the mid-twentieth century, revealing this tree species’ high susceptibility to the disease. Due to littleleaf disease and several other factors, shortleaf pine abundance has decreased by 53% since the 1980s. Shortleaf pine restoration efforts are currently underway across the species’ native 22-state range, which includes the Piedmont region of the southeastern U.S. and the historic littleleaf disease range. Though additional research is needed to advance restoration of shortleaf pine in areas susceptible to littleleaf disease, previous research efforts have established clear management guidelines. These guidelines recommend site selection, preparation, and amendments useful for reducing or managing risk of littleleaf disease.
Read more of the fact sheet at shortleafpine.net or southernforesthealth.net
Contact
Holly Campbell (hcampbell@sref.info) or Dave Coyle (dcoyle@sref.info), Extension Associates, Southern Regional Extension Forestry
