This disease is caused by a beetle-vectored nematode. Nursery and Christmas tree growers should remove and destroy any dead scotch pine in their nurseries in the next few weeks. Chipping, burning, or burying is adequate to remove possible infestations. Disposing of trees in a disposal heap is not recommended since the beetle vectors still remain viable and on the site. The current nematode disease and beetle ranges are the eastern half of the state and seem to be moving into south central and southwest Kansas.
Symptoms begin in late summer with off color green needles which quickly turn to a light tan color.
The lack of resin flow in the branches is diagnostic with these needle symptoms. PLUM POX Plum pox is an exotic disease of stone fruits to North America. Last year it was found in production orchards in Pennsylvania. Currently, state and federal agencies are taking measures to identify and destroy any infected plants in the immediate area of the discovery and to survey the stone fruit nurseries and orchards throughout the United States for presence of the disease. Here in Kansas, survey will begin in the fall.