Longleaf Pine Establishment in speciled areas of the State Longleaf pine is the most resistant pine to southern pine beetle attack (Figure 11). Landowners should consider planting longleaf pine instead of loblolly within it's natural range (Figure 12). For more detailed information concerning the Southern Pine Beetle Prevention and Restoration Program, you may contact the nearest GFC District Office: COOSA DISTRICT - 1 *ainesville 2fce Rome 2fce 3005 Atlanta Highway 3086 Martha Berry Hwy NE Gainesville, GA 30507 Rome, GA 30165 770-531-6043/6048 706-295-6021/6022 Figure 11- Photo by James Johnson, GFC State of Georgia Historic Longleaf Pine Range Legend County Boundary Historic Longleaf Pine Range FLINT DISTRICT - 2 &amilla ofce Americus ofce 3561 Hwy 112 243 US Hwy 19 North Camilla, GA 31730 Americus, GA 31719 229-522-3580/3581 229-931-2436/2437 OCONEE DISTRICT - 3 Milledgeville ofce :ashington ofce 119 Hwy 49 1465 Tignall Rd Milledgeville, GA 31061 Washington, GA 30673 478-445-5164/5548 706-678-2015 Figure 12- Native longleaf range in Georgia Hardwood planting (statewide) Pine stands that have been killed by southern pine beetles can be converted to desirable hardwood plantings. Mast producing species will improve wildlife habitat for many species of game and nongame animals. CHATTAHOOCHEE DISTRICT - 4 Newnan 2fce 187 Corinth Road Newnan, GA 30263 770-254-7218 SATILLA DISTRICT - 5 Waycross 2fce 5003 Jacksonville Hwy. Waycross, GA 31503 912-287-4915 OGEECHEE DISTRICT - 6 Mc5ae ofce Americus ofce Route 1 Box 67 243 US Hwy 19 North Helena, GA 31037 Americus GA 31719 229-868-3385 229-931-2436/2437 Funds for this publication are provided by the USDA Forest Service. Rev. 02/13 Southern Pine Beetle Biology, Pevention, & Restoration Introduction Figure 1 - Photo by David Almquist, University of FL The Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) Dendroctonus frontalis, is not much bigger than an eye gnat (Figure 1). It attacks and kills all species of southern yellow pines in Georgia including white pine. Trees are killed when beetles construct winding S-shaped egg galleries underneath the bark (Figure 2). These galleries effectively girdle the tree and destroy the conductive tissues that transport food throughout the tree. Furthermore, the beetles carry bluestaining fungi on their bodies that clog the water conductive tissues (wood) that transport water within the tree. Signs of attack on the outside of the tree are pitch tubes and boring dust (frass) caused by beetles entering the tree (Figures 3 & 4). Additional signs are egg pits created by a secondary beetle Figure 2 - Photo by called the southern pine Ronald Billings, sawyer (Figure 5). Needles turn pale green Texas Forest Service to yellow to red then brown (Figure 6). Trees under drought stress may not produce pitch tubes when attacked by southern Figure 3 - Photo by Tim Tigner, Figure 4 - Photo by Erich G. Vallery, VA Dept of Forestry USDA Forest Service pine beetles and that is why the other signs are important in identifying infested trees. Figure 5 - Photo by Lacy L. Hyche, Auburn University Southern pine beetles have killed over $254 million worth of pine trees in Georgia since 1972. That's an average annual loss of over 7 million. If the trees were placed end-to-end, they would reach to the moon eight times. No other insect comes close to causing this much economic damage to Georgia's pine forests. Based on 32 years of aerial survey data in Georgia, SPB outbreaks are cyclic and often correspond to weather events of drought Figure 6 - Photo by Gerald J. Lenhard, or flooding depending on the location within Georgia. LA State University The data further suggests that Piedmont populations increase to epidemic levels every 6-10 years, while those in the Mountain region occur every 12 years, with both being inuenced by drought. Outbreaks occurring in the Coastal Plain are more sporadic and can be triggered by ooding or drought. Outbreaks may persist for 1-3 years. Pines are most susceptible when they are stressed by drought, flooding, storm damage, or by stand conditions such as over crowding, old age, or root disease. Lightning struck trees are particularly vulnerable to attack as are trees damaged Figure 7 - Photo by Erich G. Vallery, USDA Forest Service by road building or logging activities (Figure 7). All of the above factors help sustain beetles when their numbers are low. But during epidemic years when beetle numbers are sky-rocketing, even the healthiest of trees/stands are killed. Therefore, foresters need to conduct practices that promote tree vigor while beetle populations are low. This is best achieved by thinning overcrowded pine stands to reduce competition between trees and by selectively removing those that are diseased. Certain pathogens that lead to diseases (such as pitch canker, littleleaf disease, and other root diseases) can weaken pines and create stands that are especially vulnerable to SPB attack and damage (Figure 8). Figure 8 - Photo by Terry Price, retired GFC Selecting pine species that are less susceptible to SPB is another key ingredient in preventing outbreaks. Loblolly, shortleaf, and Virginia pines are the three most susceptible species with white, slash, and longleaf pines being the most resistant. What Can Be Done? The GFC in cooperation with the US Forest Service, Forest Health Protection Unit is offering a Southern Pine Beetle Prevention and Restoration cost share program to Georgia landowners who want to reduce their risk of an SPB problem or who need to restore stands killed by SPB. The cost share program will help landowners implement various forestry practices that promote tree health thus preventing beetle infestations. The program will also assist landowners with the restoration of areas killed by SPB. The practices that will be available to landowners are listed below. Non-commer- Dense, over-crowded pine stands need cial thinning to be thinned to improve the growth (statewide) of remaining trees and to produce a higher value wood product (Figure 9). A properly thinned stand also reduces the rate at which beetles can spread. Stands should be thinned to a basal area of 80 square Figure 9 - Photo by James Johnson, GFC feet or less. Chemical release of pine stands (statewide) Prescribed burning (statewide) Hardwood species can compete with pines for water and nutrients and should be eliminated if pine vigor is to be maintained. This can be accomplished by the use of selective herbicides. Prescribed burning reduces competing hardwoods and underbrush beneath pines. If done properly, a low intensity fire can improve pine vigor, thus reducing the threat of a southern pine beetle infestation (Figure 10). Figure 10 - Photo by David J. Moorhead, UGA Pine Planting (statewide) Planting loblolly, slash, shortleaf, and white pine at appropriate stocking levels and managing these stands at proper densities can help with vigor and natural resistance to the southern pine beetle. Matching the correct species to the site is crucial to expect good long term results and your GFC forester can help with this important decision.