Pruning reduces blister rust in sugar pine with minimal effects on tree growth

Sugar pine trees from nine stands in two California study areas were assessed to determine the effects of pruning on the incidence and growth of white pine blister rust. Lower limbs up to 8 feet high were removed on alternate trees. Six years following treatment, the number of infections in pruned t...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lauren A. Grand, Kevin O'Hara, Amy A. Whitcomb
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources 2010-01-01
Series:California Agriculture
Online Access:http://calag.ucanr.edu/archive/?article=ca.v064n01p31
Description
Summary:Sugar pine trees from nine stands in two California study areas were assessed to determine the effects of pruning on the incidence and growth of white pine blister rust. Lower limbs up to 8 feet high were removed on alternate trees. Six years following treatment, the number of infections in pruned trees was reduced compared to unpruned trees at one study area, but no blister rust was found at the other area. The results suggest that artificial pruning of sugar pine may be part of an effective, integrated strategy to maintain this species in mixed-conifer California forests.
ISSN:0008-0845
2160-8091