However, it causes browning of needles, which can slow growth, weaken overall resistance to opportunistic pathogens, and can sometimes outright kill seedlings, making Rhabdocline laricis a threat in tree nurseries.

If moist conditions continue, colorless conidia develop on the lower surface of needles in clusters, and spores begin to grow, appearing as white spots.

Browned needles consumed by Rhabdocline laricis eventually wither and drop off the larch.

Even if the infected tree ultimately survives, it may have reduced DBH (diameter) leading to culling by the maintainer for failing to meet the expected size.

Fungicide can be used in nurseries,[5] although control in a wider natural forest setting is generally not practical.