Farm Forestry New Zealand
PESTS AND DISEASES OF FORESTRY IN NEW ZEALAND
Red needle cast
From Field Assessment, Control and Identification of Common Foliage Diseases of Pine in New Zealand.
Primary diagnostic features of Red Needle Cast (RNC)
- Needles have distinct olive or olive with black resinous bands in initial stage.
- Needles turn yellow and then red-brown
- At the yellow stage, can be very difficult to differentiate between Cyclaneusma needle cast
- Needles remain rigid, but are easily removed from branch
- The entire tree crown may be affected
- Symptoms are rare during summer
- Symptoms may start any time between March and September
- Needles are cast or blown off the branch within a few months of symptoms
- After the needles are cast the tree crown appears very thin
- Peak disease occurs from July–September, depending on the region
- Affects trees of all ages
Stand affected by red needle cast. Note uniform severity and varying stages of disease development.
Early symptoms, yellow and brown needles
More advanced symptoms, nearly all needles turning red-brown
Branch in late August (mottled yellow needles starting to develop)
Black banding which may be apparent at the onset of RNC (common on top right needles)
Close up view of black banding, within a larger yellowish or khaki/olive coloured band, typical of the onset of RNC
Primarily red needles, but some yellowing and mottling has occurred (see arrows).
General view of previous photo
Various stages of development of RNC from khaki to brown/red.
Disease location
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