Possible Pine Bark Adelgid - Ask Extension
My wife and I bought a home 25586 Hignutt road, Denton, MD this winter. There is a large backlog of ground maintenance we are working through. We have...
Knowledgebase
Possible Pine Bark Adelgid #870396
Asked May 28, 2024, 11:28 AM EDT
My wife and I bought a home 25586 Hignutt road, Denton, MD this winter. There is a large backlog of ground maintenance we are working through. We have a stand of 25 white pines, estimate 20 years old. One had had 4 limbs die and go brown in only a few months. Looked closer and it seems its pine bark adelgid. Looking for advice to limit negative effects on other trees. I was looking at removing the effected branches and spraying with insecticidal soap, but wanted to get a better opinion before I did it. Is there someone on your staff who could advise me what actions I should take? I can send more photos if necessary it limited me to three attached.
Caroline County Maryland
Expert Response
White Pines are native to Maryland as are the Pine Bark Adelgid.
They have evolved together over eons with other native flora and fauna. As such, their presence is not of great concern, and we do not recommend treatment.
The whitewashed appearance of heavily infested trees may look concerning but permanent damage is rare if the trees are otherwise healthy. Pine bark adelgid is not a significant pest in plantations of eastern white pine, where repeatedly infested mature trees apparently suffer no serious harm.
Also, many beneficial native insects (which we want to preserve) help with control and feed on pine bark adelgid, including ladybird beetles (ladybugs), lacewings, and hover flies.
Christine
They have evolved together over eons with other native flora and fauna. As such, their presence is not of great concern, and we do not recommend treatment.
The whitewashed appearance of heavily infested trees may look concerning but permanent damage is rare if the trees are otherwise healthy. Pine bark adelgid is not a significant pest in plantations of eastern white pine, where repeatedly infested mature trees apparently suffer no serious harm.
Also, many beneficial native insects (which we want to preserve) help with control and feed on pine bark adelgid, including ladybird beetles (ladybugs), lacewings, and hover flies.
Christine
