Pine Beetles
Hi everyone,
I am writing to see if anyone else is have problems with pine beetles. We have had so many pine trees die and fall on our property the last couple of years and it’s just not stopping. Is anyone else having the same problem? Is there a solution?
Thanks for the help.
5 Responses
I have seen a lot of pines falling. I’m not sure it’s more than typical or maybe I just didn’t notice before. After this past winter I’ve had to clear more than half dozen across my trails, which does seem like more than usual. Can’t say it’s because of beetles.
There is an NRCS office in Moorefield and I had a conservationist come out to offer advise on timber stand improvement many years ago. It was free. The man was Lee Haggerty, but not sure he is still there. They may be able to come out to have a look.
District Conservationist
USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service
223 North Main Street
Moorefield, WV 26836
Telephone: (304) 530-2825
Hello. This is helpful information, and we’ll be calling these folks about concerns on our own property.
Thanks!
Hilary Collins
Speaking of pest infestations, I am seeing a lot of dead trees this year with a lot of Wood Pecker holes. I’m not 100% certain, but I think they are Ash trees killed by Emerald Ash Bores.
http://www.emeraldashborer.info/
http://www.emeraldashborer.info/biological-control
Thanks for the information!
We just had to deal with this where I previously lived in Fauquier County. Unfortunately for Emerald Ash Borer there wasn’t really any effective options once the trees were heavily infested. The same for Southern Pine Beetle. At that point you have to cut the tree down as soon as you can confirm the infestation and then your best option is to immediately burn the tree in order to prevent the spread of these pests. Once you start to see die off beyond a third to half of it’s foliage that tree is probably done for as the boring insects typically girdle the tree by eating through the cambium and phloem (living tissue). Treatments on neighboring trees with neem oil can be effective in preventing an infestation or remediating a lightly infested tree. Systematic pesticides absorbing through the root system by soil drenching or by direct injection are also effective but they can be costly, particularly considering how many trees may need to be treated and the volume of treatment needed for large trees.