Project Code:	WEYDV-02-069
Program:	FRIP
Sponsor:	Weyerhaeuser
Project Status:	Completed

Object & Deliverables

The project was initiated to evaluate the long-term impact of aspen shoot blight (Shepherd’s Crook) on aspen growth. The project was divided into two phases. The first phase had 3 objectives: 1) To determine the relationship between the amount of shoot blight and yield loss in low and high density stands, 2) evaluate fungicides for controlling aspen blight and 3) evaluate different inoculation techniques for their ability to produce reliable infection in the field. The results of Phase 1 indicated that the best starting point for fungicidal control is Tilt at 0.1 ml/50 ml although further field testing may be required. It was also discovered that field inoculations with aspen shoot blight are not likely to be effictive and thus a better approach would be through mechanical wounding. In Phase 11, it was determined that simple cutting of the terminal was the most effective way to simulate aspen shoot blight. Time of wounding made a significant difference in the growth form of trees.

Final Report

Several follow up measurements on parts of these studies that were long term were not included in the final report. The reports were submitted by Peter Blenis, Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta and were entitled, “Evaluating the impact of shoot blight (“shepherd’s crook”) of aspen – Phase I” and “Evaluating the impact of shoot blight (“shepherd’s crook”) of aspen – Phase II”.