How to identify evergreens: winter desiccation or a pest issue
Learn how to identify if your evergreens have winter desiccation or a pest or disease issue.
I had a request for an article on diagnosing winter desiccation versus pest and disease issues on evergreens. I find diagnosing diseases of evergreens versus physiological and abiotic disorders to be tricky. But here is the decision-making process that I go through. Maybe it's more like a process of elimination…
What species of evergreens are showing symptoms?
Plant identification should always be the first step in any pest management identification issue. Usually when there are more than one species involved, it is more likely an environmental or chemical application or cultural (a.k.a. human element) issue.
Where are the symptoms on the tree and is there a pattern?
Many abiotic and environmental issues have some sort of a pattern. Whether its the year(s) of growth that is showing symptoms, the bottom branches vs. the top, the west side of the tree etc. Quite often, winter desiccation is most evident on the SW to NW side of the tree.
What % of evergreens in the area are showing symptoms?
Many times, when we see plant symptoms across nearly 100% of the plant species, we can bet that the issue is environmental or physiological, with or without the involvement of human activities. When a smaller % of plants show symptoms, in groups or individually here and there, it could be a pest or disease issue. Not all plants will show the same level of injury, it depends on their genetics, vigor, root system etc.
Are there any signs of disease, such as fruiting structures bursting through the stomates or elsewhere on the needles, any weeping cankers?
Closely examine symptomatic, discoloured needles with your hand lens for fruiting structures or other signs of pathogens. Follow the symptomatic branch all the way to the main stem. If possible, remove it and examine it for cankers or weeping sap. If you can, slice into the bark all the way along the stem to see if there is any brown tissue under the bark……I'm not kidding.
Are there any signs of eggs, egg masses, chewed needles on last year's growth?
When in doubt, there is always the University of Guelph Pest Diagnostic Clinic.