Pine Pitch Canker

Pine pitch canker is a virulent and incurable fungal disease that threatens to destroy 85% of the native Monterey pine forests within the next decade. The fungus is transmitted by bark, cone and twig beetles whose dispersal may carry the disease to new locations. Pitch canker is now found in 17 counties from Mendocino to San Diego.

Although Monterey pines are the most susceptible, pitch canker has also been found in eight other pine species and in Douglas fir. This raises the fear that the disease will spread to the Sierra Nevada, Coast, and Cascade ranges.

Infected trees may exhibit a number of symptoms:

• Discoloration on the branches, trunk and exposed roots.
• The fungus infects branches from the tips down, turning needles brown.
• The infection creates a flow of amber pitch that runs down the trunk.

At this time, pine pitch canker cannot be eradicated so the emphasis is on education to slow and limit the spread of the disease. The following steps should be taken:

• Avoid transportation of infected trees or firewood from region of origin.
• Sterilize pruning tools with bleach before and after pruning operations.
• Chip and spread or burn infected plant material.
• Do not use Monterey pines for landscape plantings at this time
• Report new occurrences of pitch canker to CDF.

A new video entitled Pine Pitch Canker: A Threat to California's Forests is available to agencies and the public. This 16 minute video provides background on the disease and scope of the problem. It also contains specific information on management and control along with local contacts. The video was produced by Del Monte Forest Foundation for the Pine Pitch Canker Task Force. To get a copy, contact ATTN: Ladonna, Del Monte Forest Foundation, Forest Lake & Lopez Roads, Pebble Beach, 93953; (408) 373-1293.

Publications, a bibliography, poster, general display, and traveling presentations are also available.

A pine pitch canker website has up-to-date information on identification, prevention, management, research, contacts, and other related topics.

For more information, call the Stewardship Helpline, 1-800-738-TREE.
See also: Pine Pitch Canker Update