News & Press
Have you noticed dead pine trees? Warm temperatures and drought have led to an outbreak of pine beetles. The drought is putting stress on trees and making them more prone to beetle infestations. The Ips Engraver Beetle, in particular, has infected thousands of trees in our service area, posing a threat to power lines.
“In a year with normal rainfall, the Ips Engraver Beetle will typically hit one or two trees and quit,” said Chip Bates, Forest Health Coordinator with the Georgia Forestry Commission. “Because of the dry conditions, we have had many more cases this year.” The commission reports there were more than 3,700 (¼ acre or less) spots affected by the beetle noted in central Georgia alone.
While a tree is already stressed from drought, the beetles inject a fungus into the tree, known as blue stain, which impedes the flow of water and nutrients in the tree. “It’s basically like hardening of the arteries in people,” said Bates. “It clogs the ability to move water throughout the tree.” With all of these factors combined, pine trees cannot survive. Signs of infected trees include limbs changing from green to brown, starting at the top of the tree, and needles dropping from the tree. (39446002)
Once infestation has occurred, there is not much you can do to save the tree. Focusing on proper tree care to prevent future infestations should be the most important focus at that point.
“Although we are still in a drought, we are starting to get regular rainfall,” said Bates. “This will allow the sap to move through the trees again and keep the Ips beetles away.”
These dead trees are an eyesore, but they also cause problems for utilities. If a dead tree falls in Tri-County EMC’s right-of-way, it is likely to hit a power line on the way down, causing power outages or a possible fire.
WHAT TRI-COUNTY EMC WILL DO:
Tri-County EMC has been systematically cutting dead pines overhanging our right-of-way. If you have a dead tree on your property that is an immediate danger to power lines, contact a customer service representative at 1.866.254.8100 to have us take the following steps:
1. A Tri-County EMC employee will come out and assess the tree to determine if it does endanger our power lines and if we can safely cut it. Tri-County EMC or Asplundh, our right-of-way contractor, will schedule to have the work done if it can be cut.
2. Some trees, such as those very close to buildings or fences, or extremely tall trees, may need to be cut by a tree surgeon.
3. Please understand that the property owner will be responsible for the removal of tree (this is highly recommended to get the pine beetles away from your property and remaining trees). Tri-County EMC does not have equipment capable of chipping large diameter tree trunks or a site for tree removal.