What are the factors that lead to tree stress and southern pine beetle attack?
Pine trees under stress are more susceptible to pine beetle attack. Factors such as prolonged moisture or drought stress, slow tree growth that is common in overstocked or overmature stands, diseased or storm-damaged trees and excessive damage to residual trees after a harvesting operation are common factors leading to tree stress and pine beetle outbreaks. During the current outbreak, the buildup of pine beetle populations in damaged, stressed, overstocked and overmature natural pine stands has spread to younger, more vigorous stands including some plantations because of the high population levels.
