What's eating my red pine?

Red Pine is most seriously threatened by the red pine scale and pine sawfly caterpillars, which can defoliate trees rapidly. Pine bark beetles exploit stressed trees. Aphids and spider mites attack in dry conditions, while deer browse new growth on young trees. Maintaining tree health is the best overall defense.

Yellowing then reddening needles; branch dieback spreading inward; trees can die within years of infestation Remove and destroy infested branches; systemic insecticide injections for high-value trees; consult an arborist

Needles consumed from the tip, leaving straw-like stubs; colonies of pale green larvae feeding in groups Hand-pick larval clusters; spray with insecticidal soap or spinosad; remove egg-laden needles in winter

Pitch tubes on bark; winding galleries under bark; crown dieback in stressed or drought-weakened trees Water during drought; remove and destroy infested wood; avoid wounding bark

Browsed and ragged young needles and bark rubbing damage on slender trunks in autumn Install wire mesh guards around trunks; use deer-repellent sprays on lower foliage in autumn