Engelmann Spruce Needle and Twig Blight at the Coeur D'Alene Nursery, Idaho
Needle and twig blight of Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry) at the Coeur d'Alene Forest Tree Nursery was recently Investigated to determine probable causes and formulate recommendations for reducing future losses. The disease occurred during the spring of 1980 on 2-0 seedlings within bareroot stock beds. Affected trees displayed extensive dying of current year's foliage with progressive necrosis into twigs (figs. 1 and 2). Seedling terminals and lateral branches mostly were affected (fig. 2). Necrosis sometimes began near the ground line and progressed upward through seedlings (fig. 1), although mortality was rare. Affected seedlings were often in groups.