This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Destructive Pine Beetle Found In Manchester

The southern pine beetle, which has damaged more than 26,600 acres of Pinelads pine forest in southern New Jersey, has been found locally.

The southern pine beetle, one of the most destructive forest insects in the southeastern United States, has been found in the bark of a pine tree in Manchester, Mayor Michael Fressola has announced.

The beetle, which is smaller than a grain of rice, has affected more than 26,600 acres of pine forest in the southern part of New Jersey so far, Fressola said.

The beetle destroys trees by feeding on the soft, live tissue under the bark of the tree, and at the same time spreading a fungus, the blue stain fungus, that blocks the trees’ ability to circulate water.

Find out what's happening in Manchesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The only way to destroy the beetle is to cut down the tree and get rid of the bark, according to information on the beetle provided by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry.

An infected tree will show signs including needles in the top of the tree changing colors as the crown of the tree dies, and pitch tubes on the tree’s trunk.

Find out what's happening in Manchesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Any resident who believes the southern pine beetle has infested trees on their property should contact Arthur Abline, the township’s emergency management coordinator, at 732-657-8121, ext. 4604.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?