Sphaeropsis Shoot Blight

Non-native, exotic pine species growing outside their natural range are especially vulnerable to attack. Other predisposing environmental factors include poor site, drought, hail or snow damage, compacted soils, excessive shading, insect activity or other mechanical wounding.

The link address is: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/fs/sphaeropsis/shootblight.htm