CFPC Pitch Canker Task Force Committee Meeting

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a beautiful wilderness island that is home to the nation's rarest pine tree - Torrey pine (Pinus torreyana). Torrey pines once covered a larger area but now are only present at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and on Santa Rosa Island. These iconic trees have recently been affected by the tree disease called Pitch Canker.  Pitch canker is caused by a fungus, Fusarium circinatum, that is spread by airborne spores and insects that feed on Torrey Pines. There is no cure for this disease and the recent diseased trees in the reserve is very concerning. This meeting is to collaborate with scientists and collaborators who have conducted research on pitch canker in the hopes of providing valuable knowledge, research and management ideas to the Torrey Pines State Reserve staff for preserving this iconic tree.

Tentative Agenda:

October 17, 2024

9:00   Kim Corella - Welcome to the Pitch Canker Meeting

9:05 – 9:15 – Introductions

9:15 – 9:45 - Koa wilt resistance – Richard Sniezko and Nick Dudley, U.S. Forest Service, Dorena Genetic Resource Center, Cottage Grove, OR.

9:45 – 10:15 – Molecular methods reveal aerial spread of Fusarium circinatum, causal agent of Pine Pitch Canker, in Coastal California - Wolfgang Schweigkofler, Dominican University of
California

10:15 – 10:45 - orrey Pine Health Assessments – Initial Results and Adaptations - Christa Horn and Katie
Heineman, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

10:45 – 11:15 Pitch Canker in Torrey Pines State Reserve – Darren Smith, California State Parks

11:15 – 11:30 Pitch Canker Business Meeting

• - PCTF website - Information to be added, updates, changes, etc.
• - Executive Committee, Working Groups and At Large Members

11:30 – 12:00 Other items of discussion

12:00 - Lunch

1:00 – 3:00 Field tour and discussion of pitch canker infested trees in Torrey Pines State Reserve

Adjourn

Location: TBD