Southeastern US wood products industry under threat by the pine beetle

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WWN/Fordaq
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The southern pine beetle is an extremely threat for the wood products industry in the southeastern US. This might also represent one of the main causes for economic loss in forestry.

This year's concerns stem from a record-setting drought in the area, which caused many trees to not make enough sap. Sap is the tree's best defender against the beetles, but the results can be devastating to forest industries. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates a widespread outbreak that began in east Tennessee in 1999 caused more than $1 billion in timber losses.Woodworking Network reported.

"The lack of rain is causing long term damage to trees," said Georgia Forestry Commission Forest Health Coordinator Chip Bates. "We're seeing immediate damage in the form of dying tree tops, brown leaves and dropping needles. Without water, tree roots will suffer, and that's a perfect infestation scenario for the beetle."

He added that the beetles spread the most on the  stressed trees, damaged branches and logging debris. There might also be an increased beetle activity due to the drought that has left the trees dying. This might provide fuel for a large-scale infestation, such as the one in east Tennessee.

As Woodworking Network reported, the usual recommended course of action for a Southern pine beetle infestation is to clear a buffer area around the infested trees at least as wide as the tallest trees in the infested group to prevent the beetles from spreading.

Thus, the trees could be burned or left at a safe distance from healthy trees.

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