Forest Ecosystem Processes  > White Pine Blister Rust

White pine blister rust, a rust native to Eurasia, was inadvertently introduced to western North America in 1910. Since then, the proportion of western white pine and whitebark pine has been reduced dramatically. Both western white pine and whitebark pine are keystone species for ecosystem health and sustainability. Knowledge of the nature of resistance of both species to blister rust will provide needed management options. Some knowledge has been gathered on the nature of resistance of western white pine. For whitebark pine, we lack basic knowledge of the nature of resistance. We need to acquire additional knowledge on the genetic, anatomical, physiological, and epidemiological nature of resistance to and adaptation of the pathogen.

Mission: To provide information about epidemiology and genetics of host--pest interactions of white pine blister rust.

Major Projects:

• Facilitate restoration of western white pine and whitebark pine to historic levels through integrated pest management
• Ecological genetics of whitebark pine
• Continue cooperation with USFS Region I Tree Improvement Program