Annosum Root Rot (Heterobasidion annosum) - Annosum root disease (ARD) in Texas impacts loblolly and slash pine and eastern redcedar. Slash pine is the most severely affected, but the disease is very localized and not considered a major problem. It is most often found in central and northern East Texas. The fungus typically enters the tree through a wound, grows through the heartwood into the roots, and causes decay in the root system. Diseased trees are subject to windthrow and breakage.