White pine disease help - Ask Extension
We have 4 or 5 trees that my plant app says are diseased and the disease is transmittable
Knowledgebase
White pine disease help #936516
Asked June 23, 2026, 12:20 PM EDT
We have 4 or 5 trees that my plant app says are diseased and the disease is transmittable
Houghton County Michigan
Expert Response
Thank you for submitting clear photos of the tree. There are not any obvious signs of disease or spores on the dead needles. This could be the start of diplodia tip blight, a fungus. It's also possible that ore likely due to insects such as Zimmerman pine moth.
Many of the plant diagnosis apps will provide a list of possible symptoms based on color. However, their level of accuracy for diagnosing issues will be lower.
The good news is that your tree looks healthy, even with this damage. There are no clear exit holes on the branches or leaking sap. If you do any pruning to this or your other trees, sanitize the equipment when switching between trees. Continue to monitor the tree and feel free to post a reply if you notice any worsening symptoms.
Many of the plant diagnosis apps will provide a list of possible symptoms based on color. However, their level of accuracy for diagnosing issues will be lower.
The good news is that your tree looks healthy, even with this damage. There are no clear exit holes on the branches or leaking sap. If you do any pruning to this or your other trees, sanitize the equipment when switching between trees. Continue to monitor the tree and feel free to post a reply if you notice any worsening symptoms.
Thank you profusely for your quick answer.
We will indeed keep an eye on the trees. There at 5 of them that have varying amounts of the clumps of brown needles. We love them and want to do what must be done, if anything, to keep them. Your good news gave us a sigh of relief.
Jeanne Kurtz
