Since pitch canker is not systemic, the infection does not travel through the system of the tree. Each infection site arises separately. Trees of any size can become infected. While mature trees rarely die from the fungal infection, infected trees are often weakened and become susceptible to attacks by bark beetles that frequently result in mortality. All native California pines are susceptible to pitch canker.
Needles progress to yellow and then to reddish brown.
Branch tips die and are devoid of needles. Fresh, light-colored pitch from new infections may run down the trunk and branches for many feet or drip onto the ground. Cankers may be found on any woody tree part, including cones, branches, trunks, and exposed roots. The transition point between living and dead tissue is the point of infection. Infection locations are often at branch and pine cone whorls.