White Pine Blister Rust on Currants and Gooseberries
HYG-3205-98
Michael A. Ellis
Leona Horst
Department of Plant Pathology
The Ohio State University
White pine blister rust is not a serious disease of currants and gooseberries; however, it is a very serious disease of white pines (Pinus strobus). Currants and gooseberries serve as an alternate host for the rust fungus that causes white pine blister rust. Therefore, planting currants and gooseberries in areas where white pines are present can lead to serious losses of white pines. North American white pine species, including bristlecone, limber, sugar, eastern white, southwestern white, western white, and whitebark, are highly susceptible. White pine blister rust causes significant damage in pine forests by forming cankers on the branches of white pines. These cankers ultimately kill the trees. Black currant is the most susceptible of the Ribes species.
To protect white pine forests, several states have enacted laws concerning planting of black currants.
RESTRICTIONS: State laws prohibit our shipping Currants or Gooseberries to Delaware, Maine, N. Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Vermont or West Virginia. Black Currants may not be sent to the states mentioned above, as well as Massachusetts, Montana, Ohio and Rhode Island.
Please be aware of these restrictions. Sorry if any of the bidders are in these states.
Glenn