Sirococcus Shoot Blight
Sirococcus conigenus
42 host plants
Last updated
This fungal blight attacks lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), causing shoot death and branch dieback. You'll see affected twigs turn brown and shrivel during spring. Limited information exists about management. The disease has minimal documented impact on landscape or ornamental pines in western Washington, making it a low concern for most growers.
Remove blighted tissue promptly, cutting well below visible symptoms. Improve air circulation by thinning dense growth. Avoid overhead watering, especially during bloom and new growth periods when tissues are most susceptible. For recurring problems, preventive fungicide applications timed to protect new growth can reduce infection, but cultural controls should be your first approach.