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Pine trees are a gorgeous part of any property. Their tall trunks and vibrant green needle-like leaves add color and texture to the landscape. However, there are bugs and other potential threats that can damage or even kill your pines. With regular care and correct tree pruning, you can help avoid and treat these threats.

Dangers to Southern Pines

1. Southern Pine Beetle

Southern pine beetle adults are only about as big as a grain of rice, and their population can explode exponentially during an outbreak. The beetles prefer mature trees that grow in close proximity, while trees younger than five years old are less susceptible.

Contact a tree services specialist if you suspect you have an infestation or need to know how to treat it. Typically, maintaining your tree area with regular thinning or pruning will help prevent an outbreak of the insects. If you already have an infestation of beetles, salvage the infected trees and try to maintain a line of green trees between infected ones and others.

2. Fusiform Rust

This condition is caused by a fungal infection on the branches or the main stem of southern pines and appears as an oblong canker. Fusiform rust is generally fatal to trees, so take these infections seriously.

To prevent fusiform rust, practice controlling the growth of the trees on your property. Loblolly and slash pines are particularly susceptible and should be planted with care. Ensure seeds you purchase have been treated for the rust at the nursery. If you already have pines on your property, check them during your regular tree pruning for signs of infection.

3. Brown Spot Needle Disease

Another fungal infection, brown spot needle disease does attack all southern pines, but only the longleaf pine tends to suffer serious damage. The fungus causes longleaf pines to remain in their grassy, early stage of growth for longer than normal. This can potentially cause loss of wood production since the pine cannot mature to its fully developed adult tree size and shape.

Brown spot needle disease is containable via controlled burning of brown leaf spots during winter. If that’s not feasible for your property, some chemical treatments and fungicide sprays can also help combat the disease.

 

If you need a certified arborist, contact John Waldrop & Son Tree Service in Commerce, GA. Providing tree trimming, stump grinding, tree removal, and more, this professional company will care for your trees with the highest level of attention and expertise. They also offer 24/7 services. Call them at (706) 335-6955 for a free estimate or contact them on their website.

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