White Pine, storm damaged, corrective pruning done, now beetle

[limbcontrol]

If you look closely you will see the bark beetle next to the customer's fingernail. What type of bark beetle is it? Southern Pine Bark Beetle? White pine that was storm damaged a few years ago after sections of the tree snapped out. We pruned the storm damage.It was doing well and plenty of new growth. Customer called recently and I went out to view. First noticed a few (3) recently dead brown needled branches then noticed lots of small bore holes and pitch from the ground and all the way up the trunk. The tree is still alive, green and amongst a stand of other white pines. Is treatment an option or do I remove tree to prevent further spread?

 

[limbcontrol]

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[JD3000]

Bark beetle ID is difficult in the field even with magnification.

Call your extension and see which conifer bark beetles are around in your area.

Treatment generally involves bark and limb sprays with STRONG rates of pyrethroids though certain products are now labeled for trunk injection to help control bark beetles. This may be more effective in the long run as a topical spray application will only control those still outside of the tree and this usually requires re-application based on the insect(s) lifecycle and the longevity of the insecticide.