Pine Pitch Canker Confirmed in Bishop Pine Forests

Date: January 3, 2007
Contact: Jane Rodgers, 415-464-5190
Contact: Alison Forrestel, 415-464-5200
Contact: John Dell’Osso, 415-464-5135

Pine pitch canker, a non-native plant pathogen, has recently been confirmed in bishop pine forests at Point Reyes National Seashore. Clumps of infected young bishop pine trees have been identified in the vicinity of Home Ranch and along Limantour Road. Additionally, the pathogen has been identified on isolated mature trees along Mount Vision Road.

This pathogen is a non-native fungus which was first identified in California during the mid-1980's. It is currently found throughout central coastal California, primarily on Monterey pine. Symptoms of pine pitch canker include the wilting of pine needles and branch tips, large amounts of resin or pitch on infected branches, and eventual die back of entire branches or trees. From a distance, infected areas of young bishop pine forest appear as patches of brown, dead or dying trees.

There is no effective known treatment for trees infested with this disease. The Seashore is currently monitoring spread of the disease and working with the U.S. Forest Service to develop strategies for disease containment. Visitors should be careful not to move any plant material within or outside of the Seashore. For more information about pine pitch canker please visit http://frap.cdf.ca.gov/pitch_canker/.

-NPS-