However, unlike the true needle-cast pathogens, this fungus requires two plant hosts to complete its life cycle. In addition, the disease requires cool, moist conditions for a period of 24 hours for infection to occur. This fungus infects loblolly, slash, longleaf, and shortleaf pines with the alternate hosts being asters and goldenrods. The disease is most severe on young seedlings or on trees in nursery, landscape, or Christmas tree settings. These blisters are full of spores that will infect the alternate host.
Minor infections cause little harm to the seedling.
However, severe infections result in the entire needle being covered with the blisters and eventually the needles are casted. In a forest setting, no control is necessary as the disease does not reach levels that would kill a tree. However, smaller, younger trees can be entirely defoliated by the fungus which may result in seedling death. This is particularly true if repeated defoliations occur. Since there is no fungicidal treatment available, the best method for reducing infection is to eliminate the alternate hosts in the area by mowing or using the proper herbicides.