From Nancy J. Taylor, Ohio State University diagnostician,
taylor.8@osu.edu
This is from a spruce, not a blue spruce, I think it is Norway. I saw this last year but since I'm seeing it again this year I thought I would ask if anyone recognizes? The browning needles
are predominately older needles, 4+ years, but there are a few younger needles also showing symptoms. 2012 needles not affected.
Upon initial examination the needles showed what looked like banding. These fruiting structures are very distinct, the spores are pretty unremarkable. I've included 40X and 100X images of
the spores. Initially I thought this might be one of the spore stages of Phyllosticta but the spores do not have the barbell shape I associate with Phyllosticta. Please ignore the moldy fungi; this has been incubating a few days.
Anyone seen this? Or more importantly, know what this is?
We had a severe drought in Ohio in 2013, I do wonder if this is an endophyte on senescent needles.
Nancy J. Taylor
C. Wayne Ellett Plant & Pest Diagnostic Clinic
Ohio State University
8995 E. Main St., Bldg. 23
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
614-403-1640