Options for the management of white pine blister rust in the Rocky Mountain Region

Abstract

You may order additional copies of this publication by sending your mailing information in label form through one of the following media. Please specify the publication title and series number. cover photos (clockwise beginning top left): A stem canker causes topkill in limber pine; close-up of rust blisters and spores; using a pole pruner to collect RM bristlecone pine cones; screening RM bristlecone pine for blister rust resistance; white pine regeneration following fire. Fort Collins Service Center

Autumn Snowfall Controls the Annual Radial Growth of Centenarian Whitebark Pine (Pinus albicaulis) in the Southern Coast Mountains, British Columbia, Canada

“…Seed dispersal by Clark's Nutcrackers to areas of suitable habitat in Canada is theoretically possible. However, USA populations of Whitebark Pine, in many cases, have suffered greater declines than Canadian populations (Keane and Arno 1993, Keane et al 2002, Burns et al 2008, Gibson et al 2008. The effects of this decline on Clark's Nutcracker are not clear but its numbers can be expected to decrease given its relationship with Whitebark Pine (Tomback and Kendall 2001), thus decreasing seed dispersal (Siepielski and Benkham 2007).…”

“…Similarities with other pines (e.g., Western White Pine (Pinus monticola), Limber Pine) suggest that resistance may be genetically based. Studies to determine levels of genetic resistance and resistance mechanisms are currently underway (Burns et al 2008). Following identification of resistant genes, a rust-resistance breeding program might be undertaken to develop rust-resistant trees for planting.…”

“…Techniques are well developed on how to gather Whitebark Pine seed, produce seedlings in a greenhouse, and plant the seedlings into natural stands, including seed transfer guidelines, and dealing with White Pine Blister Rust and fire exclusion (Burr et al 2001, Keane and Arno 2001, Schoettle and Sniezko 2007, Bower and Aitken 2008, Burns et al 2008.…”

Pruning Limber Pine to Reduce Impacts from White Pine Blister Rust in the Southern Rocky Mountains

“…This tenacity accentuates their value for aesthetics, shade, screening, and facilitating the establishment of other species. Many recreation sites, natural areas, and parks in the Southern Rocky Mountains have significant populations of high-value limber pines (Schoettle 2004, Schoettle and Sniezko 2007, Burns et al 2008). …”

Restoration planting options for limber pine (Pinus flexilisJames) in the Southern Rocky Mountains1

“…Outplanting WPBR-resistant planting stock will be an important management strategy to sustain the species (Schoettle and Sniezko 2007;Burns et al 2008). To plant WPBR resistant trees, P. flexilis seedlings will need to be propagated in a nursery and outplanted into areas of particular concern (Burns et al 2008).…”