Do I have pine beatles? I can not see anything on the pinetree, but the saw dust pile is definitely growing.
+11
The sawdust pile at the base of the tree is getting larger each day.
13 answers
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Looks like engraver beetles to me kiddo! In these hot times they pest goes for distressed or weaker trees first but if tthere's a hint of weakness in any tree under 15-20 inches across, they'll jump right in for a free meal. That's the dust and curlings from their bark boring you've pictured. I got this message right off a goverment arborist website..."If you have infested trees on your property consider removing and destroying them prior to June 1. During July and August a new generation of beetles emerges from infested trees to look for new hosts to attack. Healthy pine trees that are close to infested trees are at much higher risk of attack. When infested trees are removed, the beetles underneath the bark must be destroyed by chipping, burning or burying the wood. Simply cutting and splitting the wood does not kill the beetles underneath the bark. Contact your local county agent or city forester to learn if your area has a designated disposal site." Scary but worth calling your county office and asking advice...Best wishes...sorry about losing even one tree...JL
JL Spring & Associates
on Jul 27, 2011
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Oh my gosh! Thank you JL, no I have 40 acres of trees & I do not want them all infested. The root system of this one was compromised when we landscaped near the cabin. I will be a bear to remove. But we will.
Culpepper Carpets and Interiors, Inc.
on Jul 28, 2011
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Here in Colorado we have been in a bark beetle epidemic for a few years now...many trees weak with the multi-year drought. I have a couple on my lot that I need to clear, a few years back I cut down about 50 trees as part of a fire mitigation project. This "thinning" has improved the health of my other trees...due to less competition for sun and water. In some areas on the western slope our forest are seeing 60-80% infection and mortality rates. Clear out the sick...makes for a happy forest.
KMS Woodworks
on Jul 28, 2011
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LeeAnn,as thumbnails the photos look pretty scary, but seems like the situation you are facing is even scarier. I hope you find a solution fast. Good luck!
Yamini LEED AP at Urbanmotifs
on Jul 28, 2011
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@KMS that is a wonderful way to look at it, a natural thinning of the weak trees. @Yamini I have to just stay calm, the entire Tri-7 Ranch project is overwhelming. One project at a time is how I look at it.
Culpepper Carpets and Interiors, Inc.
on Jul 28, 2011
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At least the Beetles work on the cheap! Natural thinning is great if you can wait out Father Time! Best ishes for the right solution LeeAnn.
JL Spring & Associates
on Jul 28, 2011
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Cut & burn, says I!!!!! Argh!!
Culpepper Carpets and Interiors, Inc.
on Jul 29, 2011
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Hey guys, my neighbor (old timer in these hills of Rome) said that I could cut the limbs off & leave the log on the ground until the cold spell & that the beetles will go into the ground. Is this a myth?
Culpepper Carpets and Interiors, Inc.
on Aug 03, 2011
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I don't think I have ever seen sawdust quite like that at the bottom of a pine tree. That being said where I grew up we used to have serious pine beetle infestations and they would wipe out large areas of pines. I am not sure what the poison was, but my dad used something mixed with diesel fuel and sprayed the trunks of the trees as high as he could get it. Some made it and some didn't but one thing I do know if he had not sprayed them none of them would have made it. That would be the only suggestion I have other than to cut it down quickly and burn it as fast as you can so those buggers can't reproduce and spread, because that is just what they will do, like JL said.
Paul M
on Aug 03, 2011
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One technique that is used here with regularity is to cut them down, spray them with poison then cover them with plastic...this keeps them from escaping and allowing the poison to work. Most of these tree are not quite ready for the fire as they need a year or so to dry and "season"
KMS Woodworks
on Aug 04, 2011
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You may even be able to salvage some for projects afterwards! Good Luck..!
JL Spring & Associates
on Aug 04, 2011
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IDK....do they make innovative music & sing yeah, yeah, yeah every now & then? No? Then you don't have Beatles but you just might have beetles....lol P.S. Don't get your knickers all in a bunch ppl...I'm just kidding around. Seriously though, I've never seen anything like it. It isn't really sawdust like borer bees or other bugs would make...it looks more like tiny shreds of wood & I'm thinking maybe woodpeckers or squirrels or some other critter digging around in a rotted section of the tree. At any rate I'd say the tree should probably come down. Pines, especially distressed ones, are notorious for being brittle & can break off in a wind storm & fall on your house. We had 3 once that broke off about half way up in a strong wind & narrowly missed our house & car.
Judy
on Sep 08, 2013
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If you talk to your local BLM they will tell you what you can do to the infected trees. Also, what you can do to the healthy trees. The infected trees will be a great fire hazard.
Donna G
on Sep 24, 2013
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