Outbreak of Swiss needle cast caused by the fungus Phaeocryptopus gaeumannii on Douglas‐fir in Spain

Abstract

P. gaeumannii is a common endophyte on Douglas-fir. Although the fungus had been observed in Spain (Muñoz López et al., 2003), to our knowledge this is the first report of P. gaeumannii causing a significant SNC disease outbreak. Douglas-fir is a valued species currently planted by forest owners in Spain, who regard it as highly productive and free of disease problems. The possibility of outbreaks has to be considered when planning new plantations due to the volume growth reductions that occur in SNC cases with severe defoliation (Kimberley et al., 2011).