What's killing the Pines?

[N80]

Curly, what we have is the southern pine beetle, it is a bark beetle apparently. Here is a great resource but the latest data is from the late 90's. I heard recently that the most recent outbreak in the south was severe but has peaked and is on the decline. I've lost quite a few trees but they have been scattered. Some over 50 feet tall. And man, they die fast!

A History of Southern Pine Beetle Outbreaks In The Southeastern United States

There are management principles for fighting it, but they involve forestry equipment, time and money.

 

[JDeerekid]

Most of my pine trees are fine, but my neighbors have been infested with the beetle. What can you do to stop them from going after the good trees.
Also all of my ash trees have been infested with something. All the tops are dying out of them. Someone told me it was also a bug, but when I cut them up there is nothing.

 

[N80]

Here is an excellent resource for SC regarding pine diseases, especially the southern pine beetle:

South Carolina Forestry Commission Insects and Disease

There are some prevention and treatment tips there too.

 

[MrWoodChips]

Also all of my ash trees have been infested with something. All the tops are dying out of them. Someone told me it was also a bug, but when I cut them up there is nothing.

This web site talks about three diseases that have been attacking ash trees. It sounds like verticillium is what is attacking your trees, since you say the tops are dying first.

Trees - Ash Tree Decline

John

 

[DocHeb]

This web site talks about three diseases that have been attacking ash trees. It sounds like verticillium is what is attacking your trees, since you say the tops are dying first.

Trees - Ash Tree Decline

John

Most of the Ash Trees that are dying in the Midwest are succumbing to the Emerald Ash Tree Borer. I believe the Ash Tree Decline diagnosis was made before the EATB was identified.

 

[radman1]

It might not be the case with you northern guys, but here in OK, there is a nematoad (spelling?) that supposedly eats all of the little rots one the trees. As this happens the pines do not handle our summer months well. About 4 years ago, I lost 3 pines in a drought, and this was the cause (or atleast that is what the old timers claim).
Dave

You are correct. There is a nematode that infests some pine trees such as scotch pine. It will eventually kill them but usually not until they are 10-15 or more years old. There is no current treatment. The trees will die slowly or more quickly with stress.

 

[WarrenF]

What is killing your trees???? The tree hugger environmental whackos that have decided it is better to devastate a forest rather than to spray pesticides to kill the bugs. Good Luck. You will spend a fortune fighting this now..........

 

[ToadHill]

Ash trees also have been attacked for many years by a disease known as Ash Yellows. Without a picture and close up of the tree and it's leaves it's difficult to determine what caused the decline. I made my living for a number of years as an Arborist and I would never diagnose a problem without seeing the tree.

 

[Chuck52]

What is killing your trees???? The tree hugger environmental whackos that have decided it is better to devastate a forest rather than to spray pesticides to kill the bugs. Good Luck. You will spend a fortune fighting this now..........

Got a specific insecticide in mind? Generalized spraying of large areas with non-specific insecticides sounds wacko to me. We kinda need some of those insects....like bees and such. It's fun to rant about some of the borderline crazies in the "environmental" movement, but this doesn't strike me as a real good case.

Chuck

 

[WarrenF]

Got a specific insecticide in mind? Generalized spraying of large areas with non-specific insecticides sounds wacko to me. We kinda need some of those insects....like bees and such. It's fun to rant about some of the borderline crazies in the "environmental" movement, but this doesn't strike me as a real good case.

Chuck

Ah good point, however you have failed to understand one thing. Most who use pesticides understand better than those who regurgitate propaganda.....Honey Bees and some insects are very beneficial to plant life and pollination. Note, I did not say non-specific pesticides. In the spirit of the post, and responses I was mainly refering to bark beetles and such. Rather than to spout propaganda, it might be nice to understand spraying practices before speaking. ALL PESTICIDES SPRAYED IN THIS NECK OF THE WOODS ARE DONE AT NIGHT....when honey bees and beneficial insects are GENERALLY asleep.

With generalized statements that are easily used to inflame public opinion....the American food eater....and I would presume that would include you....will be paying more and more and more for food.