Compendium of Conifer Diseases, Second Edition

Producing Christmas trees is big business. Every year, growers in the United States and Canada deliver 30 to 40 million trees to consumers, earning $2 billion in revenue. Growers in Europe produce an additional 110 million trees, earning $1.64 billion. To prepare for future crops, growers also plant up to three times as many trees as they harvest every year. Bringing each crop to market involves years of intensive management. 


The critical information needed to manage diseases and disorders of all types of conifer trees is provided in Compendium of Conifer Diseases, Second Edition. Written by 102 experts from 18 countries, this new edition presents the modern world of forest pathology. 


Forests today grow under increasing stress from an ever-growing human population, newly identified and invasive species of pathogens, and a changing climate. And since publication of the first edition of this compendium in 1997, diagnostic tools have evolved considerably, enabling more precise identification of pathogens, greater understanding of population genetics, and better understanding of evolutionary relationships among various species. All of these factors are addressed in the new compendium.



Compendium of Conifer Diseases, Second Edition, describes more than 100 diseases and disorders of conifers in these major sections:

•   The Introduction provides background on the botany and diseases of conifers, up-to-date information on climate change and fungal taxonomy, and a comprehensive list of both classic and current publications about forest pathology.

•   Part I, Biotic Diseases, is organized by parts of the tree affected and by specific pathogens; five new Phytophthora diseases have been added to this edition. The discussion of each disease describes typical symptoms, identifies the causal organism, outlines the life cycle and epidemiology, recommends strategies for management, and offers sources of additional information.

•   Part II, Abiotic Disorders, addresses common and significant abiotic disorders along with physiological conditions that can mimic abiotic injuries. Climatic factors, human influences, and stress-related disorders are covered, and details about species affected and regional distribution are provided in discussions of disorders such as fall needle drop, pole blight, and yellow cedar decline. 

•   Part III, Diseases of Conifers Grown as Christmas Trees, is new to this edition and provides key information for this specialty crop. Topics include production worldwide, preferred species of conifers, associated diseases and disorders, and effective management practices.

•   Part IV, Diseases in the Forest, is organized into sections that highlight the significance of conifers and the diseases that affect them in different regions of the world.

•   An appendix, Diseases of Conifer, provides a comprehensive list of conifer diseases organized by genera, along with the causal pathogens and their authorities. A glossary and index are also provided to help readers of all backgrounds understand terminology and find specific information.


More than half the contributors are new to this second edition, and nearly all the articles have been updated or rewritten based on new understandings of diseases. Each article ends with a brief list of references to provide access to the relevant literature. The taxonomic nomenclature has also been updated across the book, and new photos have been added throughout for a total of 280 high-quality illustrations. 


In sum, Compendium of Conifer Diseases, Second Edition, presents both the economic and the ecological impacts of conifer diseases. It focuses on the most significant diseases of the most important genera, concentrating on diseases of conifers as forest and Christmas trees. In addition, the book places the importance of conifer pathology in the larger context of world forestry. 


This new edition will be a trusted resource for a wide range of forestry students and professionals. It provides the foundational knowledge needed by students in forestry, plant sciences, and plant pathology, along with the up-to-date, region-specific taxonomic, diagnostic, and management information essential to the work of practitioners and researchers, including forest managers, extension specialists, and plant disease clinicians.


Quantity discounts are available for easy distribution to field representatives and other experts at your organization; VIP clients/customers in the berry industry; colleagues in state and county Extension agencies; and fellow researchers and diagnosticians at your institution.