|
Importance - This disease normally causes little or no damage in forest stands. It can, however, cause serious damage in nurseries where seedlings become infected and die. Losses also occur when infected, outplanted stock dies. The alternate host - oak - is not seriously damaged. A variety of pines are primary hosts, but Virginia, sand, and shortleaf pines are the most susceptible.
Identifying the Fungus - The fungus produces orange spores on the surface of the round pine galls. Orange spores are produced on the lower surface of the oak leaves. Later, hairlike structures are produced on the oak leaves.
Identifying the Injury - Round galls form on the main stem or branches. Portions of the tree beyond the galls normally die. In the spring, the galls on pines turn orange. In the summer, orange leaf spots develop on the oak host.
|
Eastern gall rust fruiting on pine.
Photo by Robert L. Anderson, USDA Forest Service |
