Virginia pine drought stress or disease

[19Mateo83]

We have been in a drought for the last few months up until the last three weeks. I found a very healthy grove of Virginia pines and I would like to collect a few of the babies. (3-5 year olds I’m guessing) The tips of the needles on the babies that were out in the open have a little bit of discoloration on the tips and slightly yellow while the larger trees are vibrant green still. It doesn’t quite look like Diplodia tip blight because there are no fruiting bodies (black spots). Dothistroma needle blight possibly? I have read that drought stress can look similar. What do y’all think?

 

[Paradox]

It looks fungal to me. Which one I cant tell you.... The spotting on some of the needles doesn't seem consistent with drought.
If the needles were not spotted, banded, mottled and a consistent color, Id say that looks like drought/heat issues.
All the pines I have seen dying from drought conditions had needles that were more consistent in color.

 

[Dav4]

I vote fungal, as well. I suspect the heat/drought stress is compounding the fungal issues you're seeing with these.

 

[19Mateo83]

I guess I will pass in the Virginia pine grove if it’s infested with fungus. Thank you guys.