Scleroderris canker, European strain
- Latin name: Gremmeniella abietina var. Eu (Lagerberg) Morelet
- French name: Chancre scléroderrien, race européenne
- Division: Ascomycota
- Class: Leotiomycetes
- Synonym(s): Ascocalyx abietina, race européenne (Lagerberg) Schläpfer,
Lagerbergia abietina, race européenne (Lagerberg) J. Reid in Dennis,
Scleroderris abietina, race européenne (Lagerberg) Gremmen,
Scleroderris lagerbergii, race européenne Gremmen
Description
Micro-habitat(s)
Branch
Distribution
Eastern Canada
Damage, symptoms and biology
Serious disease in natural forests, plantations and nurseries. There are two strains of the causal fungus in eastern North America, the American strain and the European strain, which is more virulent. In both cases, infection begins with a browning of the needles, which kills the buds on the affected shoot. The infection spreads along the shoot, which turns greenish yellow and dies. Infections caused by the American strain are generally limited to the first 2 m of the stem, whereas the European strain causes infections that can invade the whole crown. A canker forms when the disease reaches the trunk. This disease is rarely fatal when caused by the American strain of the fungus; however, under favourable conditions, the European strain can kill affected trees over a few years.
Other information
Although large trees affected by the American strain rarely die, they supply spores that allow the disease to spread.
Canadian Forest Service Publications
Information on host(s)
Main host(s)
Photos
Damaged pine Denis Lachance