Frost Injury

From: Field Guide to Diseases and Insect Pests of Idaho and Montana Forests, USDA Forest Service Northern Region, Publication Number R1-89-54

Host. – All conifers can be damaged but true firs, Douglas-fir, western and subalpine larches, western and mountain hemlocks, and Engelmann spruce are most often damaged.

Distribution. – Occasional throughout Idaho and Montana but sometimes chronic on high elevation sites and in frost pockets.

Damage. – New shoots or needles of breaking buds are killed. Growth may be stunted and tree form may be damaged when terminal buds are killed.

Frost damage may be most severe in the upper crowns of small trees because this is generally the first part of the crown to break dormancy. Damage often occurs in several species in the same stand.

Similar damages. – Shoot blight of subalpine fir caused by Delphinella looks very similar to frost damage but is most severe in the lower crown while frost damage is often more severe higher in the crown. Microscopic examination may be required to confidently discern between them.

References.

Bega, R. V. 1978. Diseases of Pacific Coast conifers. USDA For. Serv. Ag. Hndbk. No. 521, 206 p.

Boyce, J. S. 1961. Forest Pathology. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, NY. 572 p.

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