Hail storms are usually associated with severe thunderstorms and occur more frequently during spring and summer. Most hail storms do very little noticeable damage to forests but occassionally will cause serious defoliation and branch damage. These insects are vectors of the pinewood nematode. The nematodes cause a wilt disease of pines. The entire area was clearcut due to the damages from the sawyers and nematodes.
Land managers can reduce the impacts of high winds and ice by regulating stand densities.
Pine plantations in areas likely to be hit by ice should not be thinned more than one-third of the total basal area at a time. Short leaf and Virginia pines are more resistant to ice than loblolly. Loblolly should be maintained at denser stockings than shortleaf and Virginia pines. Slash and longleaf pines are very susceptible to breakage from ice accumulations and should not be planted north of a line extending through Muscogee, Bibb, and Richmond Counties, Georgia. Pine stands that have been damaged by winds, hail or ice should be evaluated as soon as possible.