dead pine tops.

[Dilz]

Come across a site today of 9 pine trees all with dead tops, not just dead brancehs but the stem is dieback as well. some signs of white exudates on the dead wood, No obvious fungal fruiting bodies. No changes to the ground level or other ground disturbances. Any ideas?

[ben_inthewoods]

Perhaps Peridermium pini (a rust fungi) if the pine are Scots, is there a black coloured scar/wound on the main stem?

[Dilz]

Thanks ben. after asking around and checking some books came to the conclusion it was Peridermium pini.