I noticed what I thought was like sawdust aroung the base of my pine tree anyone know what's wrong?

Question

I thought it was sawdust but I think something is attacking my pine tree. There's alot around the base of the tree. Any one seen this before? It's full grown about 30 feet or so.

Answer 1

Termites or a wood pecker.

Answer 2

From:
http://goodyeartree.com/_wsn/page3.html

"If you see a sawdust around the base of your tree, and/or small, round holes in the bark, the tree probably has a pine beetle problem. Unfortunately, once the symptoms have been noticed, saving the tree is usually not an option. In addition to removing the infested tree, another alternative is to treat any adjacet trees with a pesticide to prevent the pine beetles from spreading. Call a tree service and have them come out and check out the situation."

You need to report this to your County Extension Service/Agent. I'm sure the tree company will do that for you.

Answer 3

You may have some kind of boring beetle in the bark of the tree. I suggest taking a sample of the sawdust to a local full-service garden nursery which has someone on staff who can analyze what exactly is the boring insect and what pesticide to use. Bring in a sample of the bark and pine needles (a small branch) so they can properly identify what kind of pine tree is being attacked. Some insects attack only certain kinds of trees.

An alternative is woodpeckers, but you would hear them pounding for bugs.

Answer 4

Oh Crips, you've got a borer! How do I say this?.........your tree is doomed. Let me explain: There are different types of borers, some work on the new growth tips, some feed on the sap--thus they bite and eat the sap as it flows out and rebite to keep the sap flowing........and then there's the girls who go inside to mine out the interior to lay eggs so their babies can eat the cambium of the tree and the while they accidently introduce a fungus that plus up the vascular system of the plant. Guess what you probably have? Yep, the third. You may find only one hole right now but when the kids leave they chew their way out making more holes.....and saw dust. There really is no control once they are inside, no pesticide can be squirted in the hole and be assured to get the female. So what to do........

Love your tree, keep it properly watered and when it starts to fade, get rid of it. this may take years as a tree that size may be able to struggle along for awhile. Actually it is a Thyphoid Mary with more borers growing inside waiting to hatch and fly on to other tress. It's a major forest pest.......sorry.

Answer 5

Sawdust is a real indicator of carpenter ants. You could have problems. Look for the ants. You do noy necessarily have the pine beetle. Have an expert check it out.

Answer 6

It sounds like termites but it might be a good idea to get a tree Dr.
Can you see the hole or is it too high up? You really need to see to it
so that you don't lose your beautiful tree. Like the other fellow said it
could even be a wood pecker or even a sapsucker. They look for bugs.

Answer 7

Sounds like either you have a woodpecker; carpenter ants or a bees nest that burrow into trees. Get out the binocs and take a good look high up

Answer 8

if I knew what kind it would be easier. look for little white spots, that would be a bug called scales. if the needles are yellow and brown banded it could be needle miner. if they all turn yellow at once on the ends it could be a pine nematode in the soil attacking the roots. contact your local univerisity extention office and they can give you some ideas, or take a branch into your local nursery grower. if the needles are formed into little bags hanging on the ends, it is bag worm. all can be remedied by spraying

Answer 9

It sounds like carpenter ants or termites. I'd keep checking on the tree for activity