A few years ago I was experimenting with a few seed groups I had collected while hiking on Vancouver Island. The result was a few surviving western white pine (pinus monticola dougl.) These trees are now over 3 feet tall and still very healthy. My question is: what are the early signs of (white pine blister rust) and if found, has there ever been a successful method to control this fungus. thanks in advance Brad.
Hi Brad: To my knowledge there is no control yet for the White Pine Blister Rust. There is one major preventative and that is not to have a 5 needle Pine growing any where near Gooseberries and Currants. From my experience Monticola, introduced Koraiensis and certain forms of Flexillis are somewhat more resistant to this disease more so than other 5 needle Pines are. Selected forms of Pinus Strobus, certain introduced forms of Parviflora and Lambertiana get hit the hardest in that order meaning some forms of Strobus are the least resistant from what I've seen. The species forms of Strobus and Parviflora are somewhat resistant to this disease however. Here is an overview of the disease. http://www.forestpathology.org/dis_wpbr.html Jim
Hi Jim thanks for your reply. The link was a great source of information. and I'm hopeing my white pines have a few years before they get the rust blister.Thanks again ,Brad Little
