Situation of Mycosphaerella pini in the United Kingdom
In United Kingdom, Mycosphaerella pini (EU Annexes) was first reported in 1954. Initially, in the 1950s and 1960s, the disease was only seen in young plants of Pinus nigra subsp. laricio (Corsican pine) and Pinus ponderosa (ponderosa pine) at Wareham nursery in Dorset. However, in the late 1990s it became much more widespread and was found in forest plantations. M. pini has caused widespread damage to P. nigra subsp. laricio in Thetford Forest Park (Norfolk and Suffolk), and has been found in several other locations on the same host, especially in South and eastern England. A survey of the East Anglia Forest District (in the East of England), completed in 2003 showed that nearly 11,000 ha were affected by the disease. For affected trees, on average 35 % of the crown was defoliated. All age trees were susceptible to the disease (the most susceptible were trees between 11 and 30 years). In Scotland, 2 outbreaks were reported in 2002. M. pini is perceived as a serious threat, in particular to forest plantations of P. nigra subsp. laricio.
The situation of Mycosphaerella pini in the United Kingdom can be described as follows: Present, mainly in the East and South of England (particularly on Pinus nigra subsp. laricio), 2 outbreaks reported in Scotland.
Sources
Everett S (2005) Conservation news. The uninvited. Enemy at the door. British wildlife, December, p 140.
Forestry Commission – Red band needle blight of pine. Information Notice by A Brown, D Rose & J Webber, 2003-09.