Identification

• Pine trees are susceptible to pitch canker caused by Fusarium lateritium. The disease can severely deform and kill trees. Surviving trees are stunted in growth and height.
  
  

Damage

• Initial symptoms include the appearance of reddish brown cankers on infected bark. Sapwood is light brown from the production of resin from the cankers. The resin soaks deep into the tree, reaching the core or pith. The resin starts to drip down on the bark and the needles. Affected tree needles start to yellow, brown and die. The dying needles are seen glued to the tree in crystallized resin.
  
  

Management

• Try to remove the cankers through pruning or surgically as soon as they appear. In cases of heavy infection, remove the tree entirely. If cankers are on branches, remove and destroy branches. Use resistant tree varieties.