Pine wilt disease found in ND
Trending
An investigation of scotch pine trees revealed pine wilt disease in Ransom County, confirmed Aug 11 through the South Dakota State University plant pathology lab.
According to North Dakota Forest Service manager Martin Shervey, there is not yet an effective treatment for pine wilt disease. The best method of prevention is to remove and destroy infected trees.
The disease, caused by the nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, causes the water conducting pores in the tree to collapse, starving it of nutrients. The nematode is carried through the native Sawyer beetles between trees.
It kills non-native pine trees including Scotch pine, Austrian pine, and Mugo pine. While the Austrian pine may survive two seasons with the disease, it often kills the Scotch pine within only one season.
Pine trees are used in North Dakota as windbreakers along farms, and the disease shows the necessity of the diversification of tree species.
If you are worried your tree may be infected, record a sick tree assistance form on the NDFS web page or contact a local extension agent.