Pole blight - a new disease of western white pine

Abstract

Pole blight is a killer. Apparently attacking pole-size western white pine trees of any vigor or crown class, it seems to require from one to ten years to kill a tree. White pine is generally believed to be the only species susceptible, although there is a possibility that grand fir and Douglas-fir also may be attacked. Not enough time has elapsed for us to say how much damage pole blight is capable of doing in white pine stands. We do know, however, that there has been a high percentage of kill in areas of long-standing attack. The remaining white pines in these areas appear unhealthy and on their way out. There is no evidence, as yet, of a tree recovering once attacked. Already at least three national forests have made salvage sales of dying trees.

Citation

Wellner, C. A. 1947. Pole blight - a new disease of western white pine. Station Paper No. 8. Missoula, MT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 3 p