Scots pine blister rust
Page reviewed:
25/08/2025
Scots pine blister rust is caused by the rust fungus Cronartium pini, which infects the tree’s cambium. The effect is that parts of the tree are girdled, often killing the top in older trees.
In 2007, 2008, and 2012, approximately 200 randomly selected young pine stands were surveyed, and the proportion of affected trees was estimated. At the same time, the occurrence of Melampyrum species, which serve as alternate hosts for Scots pine blister rust, was recorded. Spore samples were collected in 2008. These analyses show that the alternate host form is most common in northeastern Norrland. A targeted young forest survey was conducted in the four northernmost counties in 2022.
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