Is the Wollemi Pine susceptible to disease?
The Wollemi Pine has been found to be relatively resistant to most diseases. However, a fungal pathogen Phytophthora cinnamonmi is one disease that affects many plants, including the Wollemi Pine. A few Wollemi Pines in the wild were infected with Phytophthora cinnamonmi as a result of it being carried in on the footwear of unauthorized visitors. These trees have been treated and there is no longer any immediate risk of the disease spreading. There has been no evidence of Phytophora cinnamonmi in commercial production. Another fungal pathogen that can be associated with stem, branch and tree dieback or decline in Wollemi Pine is Fusicoccum species. At advanced stages of the disease, the fungus is visible as brown patches with tiny black raised spots (like a pin-head) on the leaves. This fungus is more active during the warmer, wetter months, and is generally only seen on plants under stress, such as insufficient light, drought, over-watering or poor drainage. In general, if fungal path
