Outbreak

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday July 8, 2008

THE region's iconic pine trees are under threat from an aggressive but unknown disease, an expert says.

A highly virulent fungal pathogen has killed several otherwise healthy Norfolk Island, hoop and bunya pines in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions and has the potential to cause long-term damage to pine tree populations.

Since first encountering the disease in 2006, arborist consultant Warwick Varley has watched it spread from as far south as Berry, north to Russell Vale.

He believes that the critically endangered Wollemi pine is also at risk from the disease because, like the Norfolk Island, hoop and bunya pines, it is a member of the Araucaria family of pine trees.

? BREE FULLER reports: Page 4

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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