North Fulton Today

Georgia is experiencing a severe outbreak of southern pine beetle infestations, significantly impacting forests and landscapes, including those in Alpharetta.

Southern pine beetles become active each spring as redbud and dogwood trees begin to bloom. These insects are small—smaller than a grain of rice—but can devastate acres of trees quickly. The only effective way to halt an infestation is to remove the infested trees along with some healthy ones surrounding them.

According to over 35 years of aerial survey data in Georgia, southern pine beetle outbreaks tend to be cyclic and often correlate with weather events such as drought or flooding, depending on the region within Georgia. The data further indicates that populations in Georgia’s Piedmont Region, which includes Alpharetta and nearby areas, escalate to epidemic levels every six to ten years.

The year 2024 has emerged as an epidemic year for southern pine beetle activity.

These insects attack and kill all species of yellow pine trees in Georgia. Trees are most vulnerable when stressed by drought, flooding, storm damage, overcrowding, old age, or root disease. Lightning-struck trees are particularly susceptible; however, during epidemic years like this one, even the healthiest trees can be attacked and killed.

Property owners and landscape workers are advised to regularly inspect trees for signs of southern pine beetles. Symptoms include fading crown color, dropping green needles, pitch on the tree resembling popcorn, and boring/sawdust left by the insects chewing into the trees. The beetles create winding egg galleries under the bark that girdle the tree and destroy its conductive tissue responsible for food transport throughout the tree. Additionally, they carry a blue stain fungus that clogs water tissues, killing the tree and damaging its wood quality.

For more information:

- Pine Bark Beetles In Urban Areas

- Pine Beetle: The Urban Problem