Pine Bark Beetles? Please help me ID.
katieeyler
8 years ago
We recently had a huge pine tree removed that was leaning over the house. Funny thing is, it was the only healthy looking pine on the property but it was a huge safety hazard and 2 years after moving in, our landlord had it removed.
The tree trunk was cut up and left on the property and this is when we noticed that the tree has tons and tons of tiny black beetles living just under the bark. Within days we have seen the beetles boring holes into the trunk pieces.
I'm attaching some pictures of the trees in the yard and the insects/damage in the hopes that someone can identify the type of pines we have and the pest.
We're in Riverside, CA, so we're in the valley below the mountains and we're in the midst of a mega drought.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Pitch tubes? (There are many of these on all of the trees)
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (14)
katieeyler
8 years agoRelated Discussions
help bark beetles or borers
Comments (2)I had barkbeetles on my mountain maple last year and they seemed to enjoy the protection of the wire. So they ate along behind the wire where I couldn't see them until it was too late. Now I have what looks like SERIOUS wire marks curving around the bottom of the tree trunk. I got rid of the bugs with a commercial spray (they die quickly) and am now air layering off the top of the tree. Moral to the story: Kill them quick!! Wags...See Morehelp with acquiring pine bark mulch in bulk!
Comments (26)My post was correct. I have found 2 potential sources locally for uncomposted pine bark fines. I have not found a good source yet for partially composted pine bark fines. I've found a product at Lowes (GardenScape Pine Bark Mulch) that is OK for 5:1:1 mix with screening, but even then has some sapwood. The local Agway has a similar product. One place is a Fafard dealer and they stock 'Fafard Pine Bark Mini Nuggets', but told me they can't order the 'Fafard Aged Pine Bark' for me because it's a Nursery item and not available in the 'Retail' catalog. I'll inquire further when I go to the store. The other local garden center says they have the uncomposted pine bark fines but won't have it unpacked for another week. The Fafard dealer has limited hours right now, and is a bit of drive so I haven't been there yet. The local W-Mart garden center manager says they might have something this year, but couldn't tell if the product was the right size or if it's partially composted or not. She said they didn't stock pine bark fines or soil conditioner at all last year....See MoreAny hope for a Canary island Pine with Bark Beetles?
Comments (10)The description of 'steward' made me think it was on some trust land or heritage area or something. Apologies. Here in Colo we have stimulus money for public land removal, as they are a safety hazard and are closing recreational trails, campgrounds, etc. Nothing on private land AFAIK. Nonetheless, I'd say that many, many more trees in CA are going to succumb to something as water becomes scarce from climate change and political influence - and water is finally priced properly and people cut back on watering. In the LA basin the beetles will continue to come downhill and hit the conifers, so your tree is like a foothold for the next generations. With the economic issues described above in mind, annual control in certain native pines in your area is derived from Bifenthrin (Onyx) and Carbaryl (Sevin SL), with your local arborist knowing whether they are effective in CI pines and whether your tree(s) are going to survive this attack (50+ entry holes, no). But these are annual applications until the cloud of beetles goes away, maybe a decade. Keep notes and share with others, as many more people there are going to need support and knowledge. Good luck. Dan...See MoreCan anyone please help me ID'ing these?
Comments (11)Sam, Clement, Resin and bboy, thank you very much for your answers. All three P. menziesii should be of almost exactly the same age. Is it a possibility that genetic variances between them caused one's bark to mature faster? It is quite likely that the third one is P. pinaster since that tree used to be planted on small scale for forestry around where I live. Thank you for the compliment, Sam. :) Taxus baccata is a conifer which is wild growing here anywhere; presumably because of its extensive use for hedges. Close to the one I found were numerous "normal" (single coloured, dark green ones) so this one catched my eye immediately. This one has smaller, more sickle shaped leaves which are green on the inside and bright-yellow across their edges. This post was edited by liopleurodon on Fri, May 17, 13 at 5:23...See Moresalicaceae
8 years agokatieeyler
8 years ago
Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
8 years agoruff78
8 years agokatieeyler
8 years agoruff78
8 years agokatieeyler
8 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years agokatieeyler
8 years agoWe're renters, so we don't get to choose which ones come out. The owner took out the one that posed the biggest threat to the house.
Its going to cost thousands to remove all of the trees and right now she's more worried about saving to replace the main plumbing line since it's pretty much collapsed orangeburg from WW2
This is the monster that came out...
hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
8 years agokatieeyler
8 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
Related Stories
EARTH DAYHow to Help Your Town’s Beneficial Birds and Bugs
Make a habitat using local materials to provide a home to the creatures that help our gardens
Full Story
HOME OFFICESQuiet, Please! How to Cut Noise Pollution at Home
Leaf blowers, trucks or noisy neighbors driving you berserk? These sound-reduction strategies can help you hush things up
Full Story
PETS6 Ways to Help Your Dog and Landscape Play Nicely Together
Keep your prized plantings intact and your dog happy too, with this wisdom from an expert gardener and dog guardian
Full Story
WINTER GARDENINGHow to Help Your Trees Weather a Storm
Seeing trees safely through winter storms means choosing the right species, siting them carefully and paying attention during the tempests
Full Story
SUMMER GARDENINGHouzz Call: Please Show Us Your Summer Garden!
Share pictures of your home and yard this summer — we’d love to feature them in an upcoming story
Full Story
GARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGBe a Citizen Scientist to Help Wildlife, Learn and Have Fun Too
Track butterflies, study birds, capture stars ... when you aid monitoring efforts, you’re lending Mother Nature a hand
Full Story
PETSHow to Help Your Dog Be a Good Neighbor
Good fences certainly help, but be sure to introduce your pup to the neighbors and check in from time to time
Full Story
WALL TREATMENTSThese Are Not Your Grandfather’s Pine Walls
The knotty look went from popular to pariah in years past, but today’s designers are finding new and stylish ways to embrace it
Full Story
DECORATING GUIDESThe Most Helpful Furniture Piece You May Ever Own
Use it as a table, a seat, a display space, a footrest ... and indoors or out. Meet the ever-versatile Chinese garden stool
Full Story
COLORPick-a-Paint Help: How to Create a Whole-House Color Palette
Don't be daunted. With these strategies, building a cohesive palette for your entire home is less difficult than it seems
Full Story
salicaceae