Associated Press
Many people in southern New Hampshire have noticed the needles of white pines turning yellow and brown this spring — and that’s due to a fungus called “needlecast.”
University of New Hampshire researchers said white pine trees in New England have struggled with needlecast since 2010. Researchers are studying four fungi known to cause needle browning. They say this year’s brown needles are a result of last year’s wet weather.
Kyle Lombard, forest health specialist with the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands, said the tree is otherwise healthy, the brown needles will shed in a few weeks and green needles will be left, what he called “the most productive and important set of needles on the tree.”
“It has the ability to survive this needlecast event,” Lombard said.
Cheryl Smith, plant health specialist with UNH Cooperative Extension, said people may see more dead lower branches than usual or further weakening of trees that are already unhealthy from other stresses.
“Repeated defoliation can weaken trees, making them more susceptible to other pests and diseases,” she said.
The discoloration is expected to affect trees in the North Country, as well, as it has in past years.