Blog, What's Wrong With My Trees?
What’s Wrong With My Tree? Pine Shoot Beetle
Pine shoot beetles are an invasive species
Pine shoot beetles (Tomicus piniperda Linnaeus) are beetles native to Europe that were discovered in Ohio in 1992. Since then, they have been detected in 19 states. This beetle targets, damages, and can even kill pine trees by feeding on young shoots.
Pine shoot beetles overwinter in the shoots or bark of pine trees and emerge when the temperature warms.
Signs and symptoms of pine shoot beetles
Pine shoot beetles overwinter in the shoots or bark of pine trees and emerge when the temperature warms. Signs and symptoms of pine shoot beetles include:
- Galleries under the bark of the main trunk and major limbs
- Reduced tree growth
- White pitch tubes
- Sawdust at the base of the tree
Managing pine shoot beetles
These beetles attack both healthy and stressed trees, so management is a must. Remove dead and dying pine trees from your property to reduce the availability of brood sites. Stumps should be ground down, and firewood kept in the local area. If you suspect pine shoot beetles on your property, call the ISA-Certified Arborists at Hansen’s Tree Service for an inspection and hassle-free estimate.