Phytophthora pluvialis

Large areas of west Cumbria have been placed in a demarcated zone (above) in order to combat the spread of Phytophthora pluvialis.  This fungus-like pathogen affects a number of trees, particularly Douglas fir and western hemlock as well as a number of pine species (Pinus radiata (Monterey pine), P. patula (Mexican weeping pine), P. strobus (Weymouth Pine.  Symptoms of the disease include needle cast, lesions on the stem and shoot dieback.

Information about the disease can be found at the Forest Research Website

A  guide can be found here with lots of illustrations of the symptoms