PESTS AND DISEASES OF FORESTRY IN NEW ZEALAND
Phomopsis dieback of cypresses in New Zealand
PHOMOPSIS DIEBACK OF CYPRESSES
From Forest Health News 54, July 1996
Although cypress canker - caused by Seiridium cardinale and S. unicorne - is the most destructive disease of plantation cypresses in this country, we also see dieback, especially of young plants and nursery seedlings caused by species of Phomopsis . Symptoms are typically tip blight, followed by dieback of shoots and small diameter branches. Small black fruiting bodies, which are just visible to the naked eye form all over the dead tissue. Phomopsis juniperovora is particularly damaging to jumpers but other New Zealand grown cypresses which show a degree of susceptibility include Cupressus macrocarpa, C. lusitanica and Chamaecyparis lawsoniana. Infection can occur at any time of the year when succulent young tissue is available and environmental conditions are suitable for infection. Other species of Phomopsis may also infect cypresses but are generally wound parasites, aggravating damage which has been initiated by abiotic agencies.
(Margaret Dick, FRI)
See also:
Phomopsis juniperovora
Forest Pathology in New Zealand No. 13
