Pine trees dying

[Mlklerx]

I need some help identifying a problem with my pine trees. We had a hurricane last September and lost about 12 pine trees in my back yard. We had trucks come through to remove them and grind down the trunks etc and disturbed a lot of the soil and roots around my other trees. Now it is almost a year later and I have 3 pine trees close together that look dead. These are loblollys and the tops are brown. Woodpeckers are on them and the bark is falling off one of them. I see little tiny circular holes in the bark. I am going to attach a link to picture of the holes, inside of bark and trees. I am trying to figure out if the problem is from the hurricane or from the woodpeckers, insects, beetles or some other cause and what to do. Thank you so much for any help!!

Here is a link to pictures:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ztd9yGvz7tpmNpu5A

 

[cerviarborist]

A lot of times big storms, especially cyclonic varieties which load from different directions as they pass, can impart a lot of torsional loads on a tree trunk. Think about wringing out a dishcloth. Now use the same motion with a banana. The damage to the cambium can be unseen, or go unnoticed with attention focused on all the other trees which were actually knocked over and more significantly damaged. It can take awhile for these torsionally damaged trees to decline and die. Beetles likely responded to the pheromone signatures of the stressed trees which were already counting down to oblivion. Beetles in turn provided a food source for the woodpeckers. Unless you can figure out something to do about the hurricane and can do it retroactively...it's the circle of life. Hakuna Matata!

 

[Mlklerx]

Thank you for your reply and information! That makes a lot of sense and I just want to confirm that these are signs of beetles and not just holes from where the woodpeckers were pecking? And will the beetles spread to my other trees?

 

[oldoakman]

Other stressed trees will attract the beetles, yes.

 

[Mlklerx]

How can I tell if I have beetles or not for sure? And what should I do to save my other trees if possible?

 

[ATH]

Did you see many other "pitch tubes" as in the last picture? Those could be a sign of Southern Pine Beetle:

southern pine beetle - Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann

I'd consider treating the remaining few pines with imidacloprid as a soil drench right around the base of the tree. It is relatively cheap and will knock out any beetles that might start feeding on those.

The trees look like they were packed in there pretty tight. I'd assume an old pine plantation that was developed? Looks like it needed thinned years ago. It might be too late to get the full benefit of a thinning, but you may be able to help the healthiest trees stay healthy if you give them a little room to spread their canopy. But not too much room or you'll get blow down!

 

[Mlklerx]

I only saw that one. We had a tree guy come out and said it was beetles and we have to remove 8-12 trees. So sad... any other opinions on here? Want to be sure.

 

[evo]

How can I tell if I have beetles or not for sure? And what should I do to save my other trees if possible?

You have beetles for sure, species and why is unknown. Beetles often are secondary issues, attacking trees which are stressed from other issues, then they come and finish off the tree. When there is a population explosion (group of very stressed trees) the beetles can gang up and take out healthy ones.
Time to pay for a visit from someone who can give you the right info for your area, some university extension agents will/can help for free. A good local arborist will also help, but you should expect to pay for an assessment or consultation.

 

[evo]

I only saw that one. We had a tree guy come out and said it was beetles and we have to remove 8-12 trees. So sad... any other opinions on here? Want to be sure.

beetles are normal, and some are no biggie. Basically you might not have to remove 8-12 trees . Leaving some as standing dead increases habitat and biodiversity, no target no risk

 

[Brocky]

I only saw that one. We had a tree guy come out and said it was beetles and we have to remove 8-12 trees. So sad... any other opinions on here? Want to be sure.

Definitely get another opinion, that tree guy may not know much about tree biology, or health, and is only looking to make money cutting down trees.