Tip blight, Botrytis sp . New growth curls and dies and may be covered with a gray mold of the fruiting stage of the fungus during prolonged cool wet springs. A change in weather conditions will stop the ravages of this fungus. Control of this disease is usually not necessary since affected tips frequently drop off and new healthy growth appears when weather conditions improve.
Needles turn brown and fall from affected twigs.
The wood is dead, and small black fruiting bodies of the causal fungus may be found on the twigs. Another fungus, Myxasporium abietinus , may also be found under similar circumstances. These fungi are usually found on trees growing under unfavorable conditions. Pruning and removal of infected twigs removes the source of future trouble. Symptoms of infection vary but include the presence of pustules or tubes on needles.