Shredded white pine attacked by lps beetle(s) - Ask Extension
i recently had more of my White Pine cut down. This time the downed trees were shredded. Can this shredding be safely used as a mulch or does it sti...
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Shredded white pine attacked by lps beetle(s) #873119
Asked June 14, 2024, 1:28 PM EDT
i recently had more of my White Pine cut down. This time the downed trees were shredded. Can this shredding be safely used as a mulch or does it still possibly harbor active lps beetle(s) that may likely continue to damage more of my trees and any other plants, woody or perennial?
The Master Arborist who pointed out the tunnels behind the bark on my White Pine and the frass was uncertain as to which lps it actually might be.
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi,
They will have vacated or been chipped in the process so it is fine to use the wood chips they left. The Ips beetles should stick mostly to pine or spruce bark and they shouldn't effect any other trees if they are healthy. Boring beetles tend to be a secondary response to stressed or decaying trees, so just making sure your trees are healthy and reducing stress to them is the best protection.
Let us know if you have further questions.
Emily
Thank you, Emily.
On 6/17/2024 11:27 AM, Ask Extension wrote:
You're welcome!
