Littleleaf Disease On Loblolly Pine: Symptom Outline
University Outreach Publication
Littleleaf disease is a soil, pathogen, and tree management syndrome. Littleleaf can destroy pockets of mature and over-mature loblolly pines (Pinus taeda) over a period of 5-15 years. Declining patches of trees average 1/10 to 2 acres in size (maximum 25 acres). Trees decline through a correlated loss of absorbing root surface, loss of carbohydrate dedicated to new root production, and loss of effective crown area. The presence of this disease syndrome has been cloaked in forest production activities when early declining pockets of trees are attacked by Southern pine beetles. In long rotation forest production and under landscape preservation activities, a significant number of trees can be lost.
Littleleaf disease was not recognized as a unique mortality-causing agent until the mid-1930’s. Littleleaf disease is considered a major disease of shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata). Loblolly pine is approximately 2-4 times less susceptible to littleleaf disease than shortleaf pine. Most of the literature and pathological efforts to manage this disease has been targeted at shortleaf pine. The disease on loblolly has been concentrated in soil areas where shortleaf pine has been severely infected.
(FOR97-26) August 1997
Kim D. Coder
2004
University of Georgia School of Forest Resources
Athens, GA
4
Click here to open, view, or download this resource as a PDF
Abiotic Factors, Forest Health, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Plant Health Care, Roots, Diagnosis and Treatment, Disease, Health (tree)
Southern (USDA FS)
Little-leaf, Littleleaf, Phytophthora cinnamomi, Pinus echinata, Pinus taeda
