Needle cast is a very common disease of conifers throughout eastern and
southern United States. Eastern white, loblolly, longleaf, pitch, pond,
shortleaf, table mountain, and Virginia pines are all susceptible.
_Hypoderma lethale_ is probably the most common cause of needle cast on
the above hosts, with the exception of longleaf pine. _Lophodermium
pinastri_ is also associated with needle cast.
[Illustration: Hypoderma needle cast on loblolly pine.]
Current pine needles are infected in the early summer, and by winter or
early spring begin to turn brown at the tips. At this time the tree
usually has a scorched appearance. Later, the browning progresses down
the needle and the fungal fruiting bodies are produced. These are small,
black, elongated structures known as hysterothecia, which open along a
slit during moist weather to release their spores. The infected needles
are often “cast,” leaving only the new growth, and causing the tree to
have a tufted appearance.
Controls are seldom needed for this disease in forest stands. Infected
trees usually recover and put out new foliage the year following heavy
attacks. Nurseries or plantations should not be established in areas
where needle cast is prevalent.
[Illustration: Lophodermium needle cast on 2-0 nursery stock and 5
year old scotch pine, Spanish variety.]
[Illustration: (cont.)]