Pacific Northwest Plant Disease Management Handbook

Larch (Larix spp.)-Needle Drop

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Latest revision: 
March 2024

Along highway 18 in Oregon's coast range is a smiley face in the hills made using larch and Douglas-fir. When the larch go dormant and the leaves drop in the fall, the evergreen Douglas-fir stand out to make the smiley face.

Jay W. Pscheidt, 2018.

Image related to Larch (Larix spp.)-Needle Drop
A larch that retains needles, as in this picture, would be unusual. Brown needles are due to Hypodermella laricis from Northern Idaho.
Photo by Lew Roth, 1965.

Cause Larch are deciduous: they lose their needles each fall. People who think they are evergreen conifers wonder why their trees have died suddenly.

Symptom Needles turn brown and fall off the tree in fall. May seem to be very sudden to those who are unaware of the species' deciduous habit.

Cultural control None needed.

Pscheidt, J.W., and Ocamb, C.M. (Senior Eds.). 2024 Pacific Northwest Plant Disease Management Handbook.
© Oregon State University.

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  • Wear protective clothing and safety devices as recommended on the label. Bathe or shower after each use.
  • Read the pesticide label—even if you’ve used the pesticide before. Follow closely the instructions on the label (and any other directions you have).
  • Be cautious when you apply pesticides. Know your legal responsibility as a pesticide applicator. You may be liable for injury or damage resulting from pesticide use.

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H - Home garden packaging commonly available.     O - Acceptable in organic production.