Foliage browning and shoot death in Sitka spruce and other conifers in northern Britain during winter 1983–84

A hitherto undescribed form of injury to Sitka spruce and other conifers occurred in plantations throughout northern Britain during the dormant season 1983–84. Damage consisted primarily of shoot death which was typically concentrated in a zone of variable extent below the upper few whorls of the tree. It occurred predominantly in forests in the west and was most severe in older crops at high elevation. Possible causes are discussed and it is concluded that the damage was probably climatic in origin.

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