The Alabama Forestry Commission recently said it is
receiving increased notifications from state residents that trees,
especially pines, are dying, leading forestry professionals to suspect it is due to complications related to drought as they search for the
cause.
“Some trees typically die immediately following an extended
period of drought such as we experienced last fall, particularly smaller
seedlings and saplings,” AFC Forester/Forest Health Coordinator Dana
Stone said in a recent release. “The most damaging results, however, may take longer to emerge. Drought-stressed
trees can be weakened, causing them to be more susceptible to insects and
diseases. These symptoms of long-term injury are just now appearing, especially
in our state’s pine forests.”
Foresters have visited areas where forest landowners
reported tree deaths and have found brown needles and pitch tubes indicative of
bark beetle infestations. The foresters suspect a range of beetles, including
the Southern pine beetle, the Ips engraver beetle and the black turpentine
beetle, as well as indications in some areas of some deodar weevil
infestations, the release said.
“The Alabama Forestry Commission continues to conduct aerial
surveys to assess beetle activity across the state, but landowners need to
understand the seriousness of this situation,” Interim State Forester Gary
Cole said in the release. “To ensure the overall health of their forest stand, they should monitor
their property for signs of damage and contact their local AFC office or
registered forester for management recommendations before taking any action.”
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