In the forest the weaker trees will succumb and make room for younger trees. In landscapes we may be more concerned with preserving our trees. If you are observing considerable needle browning in your landscape pine trees, contact your County Extension Agent for details regarding treatment. It may be a couple of weeks before the disease organism is identified and appropriate treatment determined. In the meantime, be watching for signs of pine bark beetle activity.
Bark beetles can quickly kill trees weakened by drought, disease, or improper cultural practices.
Signs of bark beetle infestation include pitch tubes formed on the trunks of the trees and collection of sawdust on the bark, branches, and the ground below the trees. Once the trees have been infested, removal is the best treatment to prevent the spread of bark beetles to nearby healthy trees. The removed trees may be saved for firewood, but to prevent the spread of the beetle, this firewood should be stacked in piles no more than 4x4x4 feet in a sunny location and covered with clear plastic. The clear plastic should be sealed around the base of the pile with soil. This contains the insects and kills them as the plastic retains heat around the woodpile.