Pine Trees Dying

[Beltzington]

We have found several Southern Pine trees on our property that appear to just up-and-died for no reason. Some are small saplings and others 30-feet mature trees.

I am somewhat familiar with Pine Beetle problem and I can see no bore holes or any other fungi or reason they have died. I noticed the first ones in Mid-August and I attributed it to the dry conditions. Oddly, there are healthy pines right next to the dying ones. Today the wife and I walked around the property and counted 20+ trees that are dead or dying. Needles fall of the branches when touched like they have been dead for months.

Any ideas? All the trees were one reason we bought the property and I would hate to lose more especially if there is something I could do.

Most likely contact the extension office next week but would also like to hear your thoughts. TIA

 

[kco]

I'm not familiar with southern pine or your area. But here in BC we've had severe pine beetle kill. You don't see bore holes. The beetles aren't impressive. They are about the size of a grain of rice.

Once the pine starts to turn brown it is already too late. We had them go through here a couple of years ago. I never knew we had so many pines. But some pines, particularly the younger ones, survive.

I've also been told that a dry season can make it worse. If trees have lots of moisture they will force the beetles out by making pitch.

We have plenty of trees and varied species so it isn't too bad. We had a few we wanted to save along the driveway and put up those natural patches that make the bugs think the tree is already too populated. They were expensive and I'm not sure they worked. So died, others didn't.

If there are pine beetles in your area I'd would suspect that. You can see them advance each year. But I think once they are done things will come back in a while.

A troubling thing here now is that they are saying some kind of beetles may be attacking the firs.

 

[kenmac]

my guess is pine beetles. I'm having the same problem. By the time you notice the damage, it's too late. I'm in the process of treating the other trees but, the beetles may have already damaged the live trees

 

[joemd11]

I seem to recall that if the tree turns brown from the top down it is the beetle that is the problem. Don't know if this is true or if it is something I just dreamed up. We had several pines in a row that died like this. Really hated to lose them because they formed a nice barrier between our house and the road.

 

[creekbend]

Most pine beetle infestations occur when the tree or trees are subjected to stress. Drought, thinning, sudden exposure to increased sunlight after thinning, damage to trees by mowers or equipment are some possible causes. Root rot and even mites can also kill a tree. Your County Extension Office will most definitely supply you with more detailed info in regards to your problem. Good Luck.

 

[Beltzington]

I seem to recall that if the tree turns brown from the top down it is the beetle that is the problem.

That is interesting because the ones I did notice started turning brown at the top.

Pine beetle kills that I have been shown the bore holes were obvious, about an 1/8" hole with sap leaking out. Could be we have some stealth beetles at work.

Any recomendations for treating the healthy trees? Natural or chemical?

 

[Pilot]

Peel off some bark and look for evidence of the beetle on the inside of the bark. Each kind of beetle produces a distinctive gallery pattern. U. of Kentucky has a good writeup on southern pine beetles: Southern Pine Beetle | University of Kentucky Entomology U. of Florida also has one: southern pine beetle - Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann They mention felling infected trees and spraying them. I would ask if burning would also work.

Good luck! It sounds like you have a tough situation.

 

[creekbend]

Perhaps this may help? Identifying the Southern Pine Beetle

 

[echoman]

Did you spread lime on that area? Pine trees dont like lime and enough of it will kill then.

 

[teg]

During very dry (stressful) summers, Ips pine bark beetles can be bad and they normally attack high in the tree. Again, in dry years you may not see much pitch resin. Fell a tree and look under the bark.

Ips Bark Beetles in the South - FIDL

 

[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.