Signs of southern pine beetle infestation include the presence of “pitch tubes,” or popcorn-shaped clumps of resin, on the exterior of an affected pine tree’s bark, according to the State Department of Environmental Conservation website. Additional symptoms are shotgun-pattern holes on the bark’s exterior and S-shaped tunnels underneath the bark.
Pine trees that have recently died are characterized by reddish-brown needles, the DEC says. Recently dead trees showing signs of infestation can be reported to the DEC at 1-866-640-0652, or by emailing foresthealth@dec.ny.gov. Sending pictures of a suspect pine tree shown with an item such as a penny, to indicate scale, will help in identifying potential problems, according to the DEC’s website.
The site also offers the following advice:
• Remove standing dead trees if they have the potential to fall on people, structures, roads or utility lines. Dead trees will no longer have living southern pine beetles living in them, so they can be left alone if they do not pose a safety threat.
• Remove and dispose of infested living trees to prevent the beetles from spreading to surrounding uninfested trees. Infested trees should not be cut and moved to new areas during the summer unless they will be destroyed immediately.
• Consult the Cornell Cooperative Extension or a certified arborist for further advice, including about the use of insecticides to protect uninfested trees.