Forest Pests

White Pine Weevil

Forest Pests — White pine, Norway spruce, other spruce and pine species, Douglas fir On sunny days in early spring, look for adults (a) near terminal buds. Pitch flow from feeding and egg-laying punctures is common in the leaders of infested trees (b). Tops may ...More…

White Pine Sawfly

Forest Pests — White pine is the primary host, with pitch, shortleaf, red and Swiss mountain pines attacked occasionally Look for pale yellow larvae with black heads and four rows of black dots going down their length (a). Larvae are present from July through ...More…

White Pine Root Disease, caused by Verticicladiella procera

Forest Pests — Until recently, white pine root disease was of greatest importance in Christmas tree plantations and newly established forest plantations. However, the fungus is now associated with dying, mature eastern white pines in natural stands in the ...More…

White Pine Aphid

Forest Pests — Look on the bark of tree trunks and branches for black aphids with a central white stripe, white spots on the sides and long, stiff hairs on the body. During the winter, examine needles for rows of black eggs. Honeydew, sooty mold, yellow jackets ...More…

Virginia Pine Sawfly

Forest Pests — Heavy defoliation by the Virginia pine sawfly for two or more years can weaken trees and make them more susceptible to other insects and diseases, particularly when associated with drought. In commercial shortleaf pine stands, the growth loss ...More…

Sand Pine Root Disease

Forest Pests — Sand pines are affected by a complex of root disease fungi acting alone or in various combinations. Trees of all ages and in all types of growing situations may be damaged or killed. Losses are especially severe in stands over 20 years old. Most ...More…

Redheaded Pine Sawfly

Forest Pests — Preferred hosts are red, Scots and jack pines. Also attacked are shortleaf, loblolly, slash, pitch, Swiss mountain, Japanese black, mugho pines, white pine, larch, deodar cedar, and Norway spruce Look for sites where eggs have been laid in ...More…

Pitch Canker

Forest Pests — Pitch canker can damage many pine species, including all of the commercially important southern pines. In forest stands, only plantations of slash, and occasionally loblolly pine, are seriously affected. While mortality can result from abundant ...More…

Pine Needle Scale

Forest Pests — Almost all needle-bearing conifers, but especially Mugho and Scots pines Look for white or yellowish oyster-shaped scales on needles. Lower branches tend to have heaviest populations of the scale (a). Yellowing and dieback can occur when ...More…

Pine Needle Rust

Forest Pests — Needle rust is most prevalent on young trees. The disease usually does not seriously damage trees, and is of most concern in Christmas tree plantings and nurseries. Most two- and three-needle pines throughout the South are susceptible. Goldenrod, ...More…

Pine Bark Adelgid

Forest Pests — Look for white woolly material on trunks (a), branches, and at the bases of needles in early spring. Heavy infestations may give the bark a white appearance. Under the wax, you may find the dark-colored adelgids. The wax-covered brown eggs are ...More…

Needle Casts

Forest Pests — Needle cast fungi are common diseases of conifers throughout the South. Infected trees in forest stands normally recover. However, losses to nonforest conifers, such as Christmas trees and nursery seedlings, can be substantial. Eastern white, ...More…