White pine and concolor fir have been the most common samples arriving in the Plant Disease Clinic that show this type of injury. Although bud break this spring is an encouraging sign, it is difficult to assess the potential for tree recovery at this time. Winter desiccation is also a common cause of needle discoloration. Conifers, when subjected to the sun and winter winds, loose moisture. Because the ground is frozen, these trees cannot replace all the moisture that is lost.
Needles appear yellow brown.
Winter desiccation injury is often most severe on trees in exposed site or on the south and west sides of trees. Prepared by Paula Flynn , Department of Plant Pathology Iowa State University , Ames, Iowa. This information subject to a usage policy .