As far as invasive species in the southeastern United States go, the southern pine beetle is one of the most harmful to forest ecosystems and poses a major threat to various tree species each year. 

By burrowing under tree bark, pine beetles create spaces to lay their eggs. Upon hatching, the larva will infest the tree and can kill it very quickly before spreading to do the same to another nearby tree, decimating forests in no time.

Thanks to reports such as the one recently published by the Georgia Forestry Commission, landowners can better plan for outbreaks of southern pine beetles and adjust their land management strategies accordingly. Their 2024 pine beetle survey identifies counties and areas in Georgia and the entire southeastern United States likely to experience southern pine beetle outbreaks during the summer months.

For landowners looking to protect their forests, the GFC recommends typical timberland management techniques including thinning, prescribed burning, and invasive species control. Outbreaks of southern pine beetles tend to occur more commonly in timber stands that are overstocked with mature trees, so thinning and prescribed burning can help keep stands healthy and unattractive to pine beetles. 

For more information on where pine beetle outbreaks might occur this year and more advice on what you can do to protect your forests, get in touch with your local Land Professional today!

Check out the full report here!