What is it?
Spruce broom rust is a native fungi that alternates its life cycle between two hosts: spruce and bearberry(kinnikinnick). It weaken the tree and also affects the aesthetic of the tree.
Symptoms
- It stimulate an abnormal bushy-like growth inn woody tissues on spruce, also know as witches’ brooms.
- It produces a distinctive odor during sporulation.
- The rust causes purplish leaf spots on the bearberry.
Damages
- Reduces tree growth and causes deformation.
- Weakens the tree, making it more susceptible to other pests and diseases.
- Affect its aesthetic appearance.
What to do?
- Avoid planting spruce and bearberry together.
- Regularly monitor your spruce and prune out brooms.
- Remove severely infested tree to prevent further spread.
Other resource:
https://tidcf.nrcan.gc.ca/en/diseases-caused-by-pathogens/factsheet/1000053