Fusiform rust affects both the quantity and quality of timber produced per unit area.
Because of the relatively short rotation of pine in the South, increased rust resistance translates directly to increased economic value. As of 1995, approximately 16.7 million acres of slash and loblolly pine had 10 percent of the trees rust-infected. Incidence is increasing where slash and loblolly are planted outside their natural range. Tree breeding efforts have reduced rust incidence dramatically in some pine families, but a variety of genetic sources are needed to ensure resistance stability. Even though the economic impact of the disease is significant, the pathogenic mechanisms underlying this disease remain poorly understood.