Cytospora Canker – Leucostoma kunzei

Cytospora canker Common name Cytospora canker Causal agent It is a fungal disease caused by members of the family Valsaceae Scientific name Leucostoma kunzei Symptoms & Signs The primary symptom of cytospora canker is bare branches. The infection starts from the lower branches and turns the needles brown or purplish-brown, causing them to fall off. After the needles fall off the branches, the branches die and fall off too. It also produces a bluish-white sap that oozes from the branches and covers cankers. Transmission The wind, water, insects, birds, and mammals spread the disease by transporting the spores to different plants. Time of concern Early spring to late summer Common hosts Blue spruce Norway spruce Fir White pine Red cedar