 The fungus can survive saprophytically in the soil, as either mycelium or as any of its three spore types mentioned.The chlamydospores, as the resting spores, survive the longest in the soils, usually under cold conditions.Koa trees occupy dry to mesic areas on the islands of Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi in elevations of 80 to 8,000 feet with 0 to 100 inches of rain.