Pine Trees Dying

[brin]

Look for what looks like popcorn on the trunks of your pine trees ...if you see that I am told that is Pine Beetles....I had a tree man I have used for years come out this year to take down a dangerous tree and he told me some areas of Ga. were experiencing a pine beetle infestation and he mentioned the popcorn on the trunks and the brown needles at the top of the trees

 

[wrflt]

I'm having the same problem. Have determined that it's due to a combination of pine beetles and drought. Also, that it's hard to fight. I'm losing some grand old trees. Just makes me sick.

 

[LBrown59]

I always thought if a pine tree turned brown it was dead or dieing .
But learned or heard recently that was not alwas true .

 

[drakefamily2]

They make some spray on solution that works well on your pine trees. I' ve sprayed it on several trees and saved them. Look in the gardening section at your hardware store. Its for pine bark beetles. Soak the tree good.

 

[JB4310]

I had a perfectly healthy, beautiful red pine die a few years ago. No sign of the bugs, but they were there under the bark.

JB

 

[Beltzington]

Thanks for all the info, the links were informative.

Had not heard lime could kill pine trees, thought it was harmless like beer:laughing:

I took this week off and wx permitting I am going to remove the dead trees and inspect. I have seen the popcorn balls of sap you mentioned on my BIL property but none on these trees, I'll take one of the saplings to the extension office and see if they can clear things up.

 

[Beltzington]

Final Diagnosis was - Southern Pine Beetles

Yesterday, hopefully, I finished cutting down the last few infected trees but I'm afraid I'm being optimistic.

Along the way I did find out more about Pine Beetles (PB) then I ever wanted to know so I'll share to help fellow sufferers.

- PB are decimating forest causing tree loss amounting to billions of dollars
- PB start their life near the top of trees as eggs then eat their way down and emerge as adult beetles
- The bore holes are them LEAVING the tree, damage done
- Common methods of chemical treatment are baiting, spraying, and injections
- These methods are either not very effective, labor intensive or very costly
- Best method for prevention are healthy pine trees and good forest maintenance
- Remove and burn dead pines ASAP and culling pine growths minimizes spread

 

[oldballs]

About 40 years ago I planted about 100 total of Austrian, White and Scotch pine. They were advised by the County Extension Service and purchased as seedlings from them. In the past 10-15 years about half of them have been cut down due to the pine beetle disease. That really hurts when they are mature and stately. The idea besides their innate beauty was to form wind breaks and dust/noise breaks along the gravel road. Right now there are about five more waiting for me to cut and burn. Obviously, treating or spraying mature 24 inch (at base) trees was out of the question. And cutting and burning has/is taking a lot of time. It is a good winter chore. None of my neigbors want the wood due to the pitch and soft wood. They have made some impressive bonfires however. Apparently most of the nation, clear to Colorado is infested. BTW some of those bore holes are due to Woodpeckers that drill, let the sap ozze (sp) out to trap insects for later food. But I'm not an ornithologist or tree ologist either one.

 

[MotorSeven]

About 40 years ago I planted about 100 total of Austrian, White and Scotch pine. They were advised by the County Extension Service and purchased as seedlings from them. In the past 10-15 years about half of them have been cut down due to the pine beetle disease. That really hurts when they are mature and stately. The idea besides their innate beauty was to form wind breaks and dust/noise breaks along the gravel road. Right now there are about five more waiting for me to cut and burn. Obviously, treating or spraying mature 24 inch (at base) trees was out of the question. And cutting and burning has/is taking a lot of time. It is a good winter chore. None of my neigbors want the wood due to the pitch and soft wood. They have made some impressive bonfires however. Apparently most of the nation, clear to Colorado is infested.

Just because it is a beetle tree does not mean the lumber is unusable. I have a mill and I mill beetle killed trees all the time as many of mine are dying. It makes great beams and barn/shed wood or interior wood. Call around to some portable millers before they begin to decay as I hate seeing good wood going to waste.

 

[oldballs]

Just because it is a beetle tree does not mean the lumber is unusable. I have a mill and I mill beetle killed trees all the time as many of mine are dying. It makes great beams and barn/shed wood or interior wood. Call around to some portable millers before they begin to decay as I hate seeing good wood going to waste.

Thanks, Motor....I never thought of that, but sounds like a possible.