🌲 Pine Beetle Signs Every Alabama Homeowner Should Know

By Heritage Arborist – Operated by Jeremy VanMaanen
Professional Arborist • Expert Tree Climber • Certified Alabama Urban Forester • Master Gardener
📞 256-792-8733 — HeritageArborist.com

Pine beetles are one of the leading causes of pine trees turning brown and dying across Arab, AL and the surrounding North Alabama region. When a pine beetle infestation starts, the decline can happen quickly — sometimes in just a few weeks.

Early detection is the best way to protect nearby pine trees and prevent larger sections of your property from being affected.

Below are the most reliable pine beetle signs homeowners should watch for.

1. Pitch Tubes on the Trunk

Pitch tubes are the most recognized sign of Southern Pine Beetle or IPS beetle activity. These appear as small, raised blobs of sap on the bark.

What they look like:

• White, yellow, or tan sap balls
• Soft or gummy texture
• Usually located mid-trunk, but sometimes higher or lower

Healthy trees try to push beetles out with sap, which creates these tubes. A high number of pitch tubes is one of the strongest indicators of active pine beetle damage.

2. Boring Dust at the Base of the Tree

Fine, sawdust-like material around the base of a pine tree is a major warning sign. This boring dust comes from beetles chewing into the trunk.

You may also see dust accumulating in bark crevices or stuck to spider webs nearby.

Homeowners often search for:

• “pine tree dying from inside”
• “sawdust at base of pine tree”
  These are classic beetle symptoms.

3. Needles Turning Yellow, Red, or Brown

When pine needles change color from green to yellow, red, or brown from the top down, beetles are often the cause.

Southern Pine Beetle typically causes:

• Rapid yellowing
• Red crown fade
• Brown needles within weeks

IPS beetle usually causes:

• Sectional browning (patches)
• Branch tip dieback
• Fading needles starting mid-crown

Brown needles are one of the top “pine tree dying” search symptoms.

4. Small Exit Holes in the Bark

Tiny, round holes in the bark often indicate beetles have completed their life cycle and emerged.

These holes may look like:

• Pin-size dots in clusters
• Evenly spaced holes in patches
• Small “shotgun pattern” marks

Exit holes often confirm the tree is far into decline.

5. Bark Loosening or Falling Off

As beetles tunnel through the inner bark, the bark begins to separate from the trunk.

Signs include:

• Loose bark you can pull away with little effort
• Sheets of bark on the ground
• Exposed galleries beneath the bark

This is a sign the tree is in an advanced stage of pine beetle damage.

6. S-Shaped or Engraved Tunnels Under the Bark

Peel back a small section of bark and examine the wood beneath it.

Southern Pine Beetle leaves:

• S-shaped galleries
• Wide, twisting tunnels

IPS beetle leaves:

• Neat, engraved patterns
• Straight or forked tunnels

These distinct tunnel shapes help confirm the type of beetle present.

7. Multiple Pines Declining Together

If two or more pine trees in the same area begin dying at the same time, the cause is often beetles rather than simple stress or drought.

Cluster decline is common in:

• Southern Pine Beetle outbreaks
• IPS beetle infestations
• Trees weakened by drought or lightning

Homeowners in Arab, AL often search “why are all my pine trees turning brown?” — this is usually the reason.

8. Pine Decline That Spreads Quickly

Pines affected by beetles or severe stress can decline extremely fast.

Warning signs include:

• Crown fade within weeks
• Crunchy brown needles mid-season
• Neighboring pines beginning to yellow

Rapid decline is rarely natural aging — it’s often beetles.

🌲 What to Do if You See Pine Beetle Signs

If you notice any of the symptoms above, the next steps are:

• Inspect nearby pines for similar issues
• Avoid cutting into the bark (which can attract more beetles)
• Note whether decline started at the top or in patches
• Call for a pine beetle inspection to identify the exact cause

Beetles can spread to nearby trees, especially during dry or hot weather.

📍 Pine Beetle Inspection in Arab, AL

Heritage Arborist provides on-site evaluation for:

• Southern Pine Beetle
• IPS Bark Beetle
• Pine tree decline
• Lightning strike damage
• Root and soil problems

Identifying the cause early can protect remaining pine trees and prevent widespread die-off.

📞 Schedule a Pine Beetle Inspection in Arab, Alabama

Call or Text: 256-792-8733
Website: www.HeritageArborist.com