First Report of Leptographium abietinum Associated with Blue Stain on Declining Western Siberian Larch in Alaska

Abstract

During 2002, dead tops, branch dieback, and resinosis were observed in Interior Alaska on stands of 20-year-old western Siberian larch (Larix sukaczewii), a fast-growing tree species introduced to Alaska in 1949. In this study, a Leptographium species was consistently recovered. This is believed to be the first report of blue stain caused by Leptographium in western Siberian larch in Alaska. No other Leptographium species have been found on western Siberian larch in Alaska. Accepted for publication 16 March 2004. Published 23 March 2004.