P. radiata disease

I have learned in my Master Gardener classes that the initial factor in
Pinus radiata decline is Pine Pitch Canker which arrived in California
recently (1986 in Santa Cruz).  This fungal disease weakens the tree and the
borers move in for the kill.  There is a task force dealing with it at
http://frap.cdf.ca.gov/pitch_canker.   You can see the spread of the disease
on the site.

More info:
FAQ:  http://www.cnr.berkeley.edu/forestry/curr_proj/pitch/faqpitch.html 
UC Pest Note:  http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74107.html

Tree topping will definitely weaken a tree as well and P. radiata is also a
very fast grower resulting in weak limbs that split and fall.  

Cheers,
Bracey
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