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Spruce Broom Rusts

The information accessed from this screen is based on the publication: Baranyay J. A. and Ziller W. G. 1972. Broom Rusts of Conifers in British Columbia. Forestry Canada, Forest Insect and Disease Survey, Forest Pest Leaflet No. 48 6p.

Introduction

There are two species of rust fungi (Uredinales) which cause witches' brooms, i. e. excessive proliferation of branches, on coniferous hosts in British Columbia: spruce broom rust ( Chrysomyxa arctostaphyli Diet.) and the fir broom rust ( Melampsorella caryophyllacearum Schroet.)

The spruce broom rust occurs throughout North America where spruce is found, but it occurs more commonly in the west (1). The fir broom rust is "native in almost the entire range of firs in Eurasia and North America" (3) and extends far beyond this range on its alternate hosts, the chickweeds.

For more information, see the Spruce Broom Rusts Forest Pest Leaflet in the Canadian Forest Service bookstore.