MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Some pine trees in the Green Mountain State are being hit with a fungus that is turning them brown.
Vermont forestry officials say white pine needle damage is affecting trees across the state. The condition occurs when the previous spring is particularly wet making white pines susceptible to a fungus that causes the needles to yellow and fall. Last year, the damage spread to more than 3,000 acres, and officials say they expect it will be even more this year.
Though it appears serious, Josh Halman with the Vt. Dept. of Parks and Recreation, says the damage doesn’t kill the trees or harm humans. “The trees can cope with it and it really is the previous year’s needles that folks are seeing that are turning yellow. The trees will survive through this. It just looks a little shocking right now,” he said.
He says there is no way to cure or prevent it and there is no need to remove affected trees.