Question
On two of our pines there is a black hard growth on the trunk and limbs of the trees. It appears to be going from the bottom to the top of the tree.  These are large areas-6 inches long & 3 inches wide. We have removed the infected limbs, but the trunk still has the growths. The needles are
dying on the infected limbs, but not on the unaffected limbs.
A friend suggested Needle Cast Disease, but when I looked it up it just didn't sound right.
Can you help with the identification & treatment of our trees? ( I live in Virginia if that will help with diagnosis.)

Answer
It is not needle cast. Sounds like one of the gall rust diseases. If the pines are shortleaf or loblolly pine it is fusiform rust and if the pines are white pine it is pine blister rust. If gall occurs on main trunk of young tree, cut and remove tree. Galls occurring on branch 8-12 inches from trunk can be pruned with little chance of rust reaching trunk. Galls on large trees can be cut off if the gall is not all the way around the surface of the trunk.
I would suggest you call the Va. Department of Forestry (state agency) and ask one of their Foresters to come out and take a look and advise. This is a free service. http://www.dof.virginia.gov/info/vdof-directory.shtml

Or their phone number should be in your local phone book.