Pine Beetle

Pine Beetle Epidemic this year in Alabama
MSNBC News, July 3, 2000

This year's drought is not only having an effect on traditional crops such as cotton and corn: now it's threatening to wipe out the state's billion dollar timber and paper industry because of the rise of the Southern Pine Beetle. It's a sight most of us aren't used to seeing, a clump of healthy looking pine trees with a few dead ones in one spot. It's called a beetle spot and it's a sight that's becoming more and more common to Alabama foresters. Steve Guy, Alabama Farmers Federation said, “Southern Pine Beetle populations in the state have reached epidemic proportions. In some counties in the last month, we've had as much as a 500% increase in Southern Pine Beetle attacks.” The reason that we've seen such a large increase in the Pine Beetle population is because of the dry weather. The drought actually stresses the pines and that makes them more susceptible to Southern Pine Beetle attacks.

Officials say the worst areas are in Bibb, Tuscaloosa, Jefferson, and Shelby Counties. But nearly every county has seen a dramatic increase in the number of Pine Beetle infestations. Growers say the problem is always worse during extremely dry years and there's really no way to prevent it, all they can do is treat it. Dorothy Reynolds, Forest Landowner said, “When you find beetles, you have to get rid of the trees... and if you find them where there's just a few trees, then it doesn't cost you so much, you've lost a few trees. But if it's gotten so bad that it's several acres, then you do have problems.” Foresters will continue to fly over the state this summer. They say it's important to eliminate beetle spots as quickly as possible. If not, 2000 could go down as the year with the worst Pine Beetle epidemic of all time. Urban areas can also experience Pine Beetle infestations.