The infection is generally restricted to plants that are grown in seedbeds and transplanted as it is in the handling processes that the virus is likely to gain entry.
Propagation is dependent on periods of immersion under water to sterilise seedbeds; as a result, the species is restricted to locales that experience at least periodic flooding.
Hickory species normally require a moderately moist seedbed for satisfactory seed germination, and mockernut hickory seems to reproduce best in moist duff.