How can I tell if my trees have had an insect attack?
There are different signs and symptoms for each tree species. The following example shows the effect on Pine Trees.
The pitch tubes are conical eruptions from the bark of the tree, typically less than one inch in diameter. The appearance of the pitch tube tells whether the tree or the beetle was successful in the attack.
A white pitch tube means success to the tree, the beetle was "pitched out".
***SUCCESSFUL BARK BEETLE ATTACK***
The tree is under stress and likely to succumb to mortality
***UNSUCCESSFUL BARK BEETLE ATTACK***
A healthy tree is able to protect itself against bark beetles while conditions are favorable
Documents to help you understand:
Tree mortality, what you can do about bark beetles, and seasonal actions to manage your trees.
How to identify bark beetles, determining your trees susceptibility, treatment, and prevention.
Bark Beetles and dead trees: CAL FIRE's Public education campaign
Using Insecticides to Protect Individual Pine Trees from Bark Beetle Attack in California: USFS Region 5 Pesticide Use Brochure
Tree mortality map:
See the current state of tree mortality in our area. Input your address and see what is happening in your neighborhood. Tree Mortality Map
Help us map specific locations of tree mortality location in Plumas County:
Plumas Sierra Tree Mortality page (coming soon)