The proposed study seeks to address this gap by identifying sugar pine trees exhibiting resistance to white pine blister rust and drought. By leveraging a combination of field surveys, genetic analysis, and stable isotope analyses, this project aims to: 1) Identify individual sugar pine trees or populations demonstrating resistance to white pine blister rust and drought. 2) Test for R resistant genes in selected individuals or populations. 3) Describe physiological traits that may confer in situ resistance to white pine blister rust, including growth rates (e.g., estimated from tree-ring analysis), water-use efficiency, and resin duct production. 4) Support ongoing conservation and restoration strategies in the Parks focused on sugar pine populations that are facing major mortality events from multiple drivers.

Approved