The needles on young pine trees in the home landscape and in plantation plantings often develop small, orange colored growths during late winter and early spring. These structures are highly visible, and their sudden appearance may lead homeowners to the conclusion that something seriously wrong is about to happen to their trees. These growths are actually a stage in the life cycle of the fungus which causes a disease plant pathologists refer to as Coleosporium needle rust. Thus, homeowners shouldn't be concerned about needle rust causing tree death. As a point of interest, the fungus which causes needle rust is related to another common rust - fusiform rust, which also infects southern pines.
Fusiform rust is a more serious disease and frequently causes tree mortality.
This rust will make its appearance in a few more weeks when enlarged , cankered areas on the trunks and branches of loblolly and slash pines take on a orange appearance, as their surfaces become covered with a spore stage of this rust disease. Give us a call, or drop by the County Extension Office for more information. Recommendations on this web site do not endorse any commercial products or trade names.