To: Wharf Rat who wrote (866853 ) 6/21/2015 7:27:19 PM From: Brumar89 Read Replies (1) | Respond to What conditions contribute to SPB infestations and outbreaks?Any number of factors that stress, weaken, or injure pines can increase their susceptibility to SPB attack, population buildup, and damage. Some of these factors, such as severe droughts or damaging storm events, are periodical environmental occurrences over which we typically have no control. Many other stress factors, however, are within mankind's ability to manipulate, and indeed have been created by our own mismanagement of the forest over both the short and long term. Some of these factors include:Allowing pines in plantations, natural stands, and residential landscapes to exist at very high densities or close spacings (i.e., "overstocked"), causing tree stress through competition for sunlight, water and nutrients. Close tree spacing also enhances the spread of SPB from tree to tree once an infestation is established. Exclusion of beneficial, low-intensity fires from pine forests, resulting in the buildup of competing vegetation beneath the pines and thus placing additional stress on them. Widespread establishment of numerous, large, high-density monocultures of the SPB's preferred host (loblolly pine). Maintaining urban canopies with an over-abundance of large, senescent, aging loblolly pines. Injuring pine root systems and stems during construction and/or heavy equipment use. Changing the nutrient status of the soil beneath pines due to improper irrigation, fertilization, and/or landscaping. freshfromflorida.com
