Warmer winters linked to spread of fungal tree-stunting disease that hurts timber industry

Climate seems to make tree-stunting disease worse

GRANTS PASS, Ore. — Global warming appears to be helping the spread of a fungus that stunts the growth of Douglas fir trees in coastal forests — a development bound to hurt the timber industry.

New research from Oregon State University finds that Swiss needle cast is affecting not just young plantations of Douglas fir, but older trees that grow naturally.

Plant pathologist Jeffrey Stone says this adds to a growing volume of research showing the disease is getting worse as winters get warmer, springs come earlier and summers get wetter in coastal forests.

Douglas fir is the Northwest’s most valuable timber species, and the Oregon Department of Forestry says timber companies are starting to plant less valuable species in areas affected by the disease.