Blue spruce and Norway spruce are popular landscape plants in Kentucky. However, many factors can cause spruce trees to cast (shed) needles. Casting may be the result of environmental stresses (heavy soil, poor drainage) or fungal diseases. In Kentucky, Rhizosphaera needle cast is the most common disease of spruce. This disease causes needle drop on lower branches, resulting in a distinct thinned appearance. Stigmina needle cast is a less common disease of spruce, but also causes symptoms similar to Rhizosphaera needle cast. Management options for both diseases include reduction of plant stress, good sanitation practices, and timely use of fungicides.

Figure 1: Needles infected with Rhizosphaera turn purplish brown during summer. (Photo: Julie Beale, University of Kentucky)

Rhizosphaera and Stigmina Needle Cast Facts:

• Symptoms become evident in summer when needles on lower branches turn purplish or brown (Figure 1). Needles fall within a few weeks and lower limbs are left bare (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Needle drop & thinning of lower canopy are classic symptoms of Rhizosphaera needle cast in spruce. (Photo: Minnesota Dept of Natural Resources Archive, Bugwood.org)

• In order to determine whether Rhizosphaera or Stigmina needle cast is present, infected needles should be inspected with a hand lens. Look closely for the type of fungal fruiting body emerging from stomata (pores in needles) to confirm diagnosis.

Figure 3: Rhizosphaera pycnidia appear as tiny raised, grayish bumps topped with white waxy caps. (Photo: Paul Bachi, University of Kentucky)

Rhizosphaera needle cast – Small, dark fruiting bodies (pycnidia) appear as tiny raised, grayish bumps topped with white waxy caps (Figure 3). While most easily recognized with a hand lens, they may also be visible with the naked eye.

Stigmina needle cast – Fungal fruiting structures (sporodochia) appear as tiny, brown to black, brush-like tufts emerging from needles (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Tiny, brown to black, brush-like tufts emerge from infected needles through stomata of needles infected with Stigmina. (Photo: Paul Bachi, University of Kentucky)

• Rhizosphaera needle cast is caused by the fungus Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii. Stigmina needle cast is caused by multiple Stigmina species.

• Spread by water splash or wind-driven rain; moisture is needed for infection.

• If defoliation occurs over 3 to 4 consecutive years, branch death is likely.

Submitted by Nicole Ward Gauthier & Kimberly Leonberger, University of Kentucky, Department of Plant Pathology