With last year’s active southern pine beetle outbreaks across the southeastern U.S., it is increasingly important to forecast if the “most destructive pest in the South” will again rear it’s ugly head. One of the ways to predict this is through Southern pine beetle trapping, which the N.C. Forest Service does each year. Traps have […]
Smaller than a grain of rice, the southern pine beetle (SPB) is considered “the most destructive forest pest in the South”. This menacing label appropriately reflects the devastation it can cause, with outbreaks capable of costing millions of dollars between lost timber and management costs. Fortunately, SPB outbreaks are cyclical, typically occurring every 10-15 years. […]
Springtime in North Carolina means it’s raining pollen! A yellow glaze coats everything outside and many are taking their allergy medicine religiously. But if you’re in the right place at the right time, something else might be dropping onto your head from the pine trees: little worm-like insects called the pine catkin sawfly. Adult sawflies, […]
In recent years, pine trees in North Carolina have seen their fair share of ice storms, polar vortexes, and snow and ice weight in the cold winter months. Trees are safe from these threats in the heat of the summer, but there’s one snowy-looking critter that still has its sights set on our pines. The woolly […]
When you think of the “most destructive pest in the South,” you may not envision a beetle the size of a grain of rice. But that’s how big it is. The Southern pine beetle is considered the worst of the worst when it comes to forest insects. During attack, pine needles fade from green to […]
We welcomed the first day of fall earlier this week. With the cooler season, soon we’ll be seeing the turning of leaves and their bright displays of reds, oranges, and yellows. But, whether you’ve noticed it or not, some fall colors are already upon us. I’m not referring to the occasional early-turning hardwood trees, I’m […]
Each week we round up the latest N.C. agricultural headlines from news outlets across the state and country, as well as excerpts from the stories. Click on the links to go straight to the full story. “NC Ag Commissioner Considers Greensboro Event a Learning Experience,” Southern Farm Network: On Wednesday, North Carolina’s Ag Commissioner, Steve […]