Will these spots kill my tree?

Needle cast can weaken a tree over several years if left untreated, but it rarely kills a mature, healthy pine.

Can I spray the whole tree?

Yes, use a garden sprayer to apply fungicide to the entire canopy during the early spring.

Lodgepole pine: spots, causes and fixes

Check these first

Look for tiny black dots on the needles with a magnifying glass.
Check if the spots are only on older needles or the new growth too.
Observe if the spots appear after a rainy or humid period.

Likely causes

Needle Cast Fungus
Possible
How to tell: Small brown or black spots appear on the needles, often followed by yellow bands. The needles eventually turn brown and drop off.
What to do: Prune away and destroy any heavily infected branches to prevent the spread of spores. Apply a copper based fungicide in the spring when new growth begins.
Environmental Pollutants
Possible
How to tell: Irregular spotting or tip burn that appears after periods of heavy smog or chemical exposure. The spots do not spread like a fungus.
What to do: Rinse the needles with a gentle spray of water to remove surface pollutants. Ensure the tree is in a location with good air circulation.

Leaf spots on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your lodgepole pine

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

If the spotting leads to rapid needle drop across the entire tree, it is a serious infection. Minor spotting on a few old needles is generally not a threat to the tree.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the area around the tree clear of fallen needles and debris to reduce fungal spore buildup.

Lodgepole pine: spots? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your lodgepole pine and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Will these spots kill my tree?: Needle cast can weaken a tree over several years if left untreated, but it rarely kills a mature, healthy pine.
Can I spray the whole tree?: Yes, use a garden sprayer to apply fungicide to the entire canopy during the early spring.

Guides to these causes

Needle Blight

What are these spots on my Lodgepole pine needles?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your lodgepole pine?