Needlecast: Identifying Characteristics
| Identifying the disease: | In winter or spring, needles will range in color from red to yellow to brown. Trees will drop or cast their needles leaving only new, green growth, giving the tree a tufted appearance. The black fruiting bodies are only 1/16" but can be seen by taking a close look at infected needles. |
| Susceptible trees: | Any conifer may be attacked. Loblolly, shortleaf, longleaf, and slash pines are common hosts in Florida. Some trees may not be affected due to their natural genetic resistance. |