Needle blight - Cryptomeria

[macrocarpa]

Anyone familiar with needle blight on cryptomeria?

I looked at some today and it looks like possibly cercospora?

I see tiny black dots (spores?) on some of the infected foliage. Mostly tip dieback with a distinct margin to green.

Tree is browning fast!

Warm, wet season.

Any pointers for positive ID?

Thanks

 

[SMAdams]

Are you sure it's a needle problem and not a branch or stem canker? Dying branches can get secondary fungi growing on the leaves.

What's the distribution of dieback in the canopy?

Did the dieback start from bottom -> top? Top -> bottom? Inside to out?

To diagnose Cercospora you need a microscope to see the spores.

If you can, take photos of: 1) The whole tree from a distance 2) an individual affected branch 3) top of the needles and 4) bottom of the needles. Bigger photos the better.

 

[macrocarpa]

Sent sample in to lab. we'll see? Thanks!