Fungal disease threatens Alabama's pine tree forests

2 weeks ago 3

JUNE 16TH. RIGHT NOW, THE ALABAMA FORESTRY COMMISSION SAYS THERE ARE NEW PROBLEMS CAUSING THOUSANDS OF PINE TREES TO GET SICK. THE BROWN TREES HERE, YOU CAN SEE ON YOUR SCREEN RIGHT NOW ARE FROM MARENGO COUNTY INFECTED WITH WHAT THE COMMISSION CALLS BROWN SPOT NEEDLE BLIGHT. THEY SAY IT’S A FUNGAL DISEASE THAT CAN CAUSE DISCOLORATION IN PINE TREES TO DROP THEIR NEEDLES. FOREST HEALTH COORDINATOR DREW MELTZER SAYS THE AGENCY HAS RECEIVED DOZENS OF CALLS OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS, AND THE DISEASE IS PREDOMINANTLY AFFECTING TREES IN THE WESTERN HALF OF THE STATE. HE SAYS THE MILD AND WET CONDITIONS WE’VE HAD OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE BLIGHTS GROWTH, ADDING LANDOWNERS SHOULD PANIC. SHOULD NOT PANIC. RATHER,

Alabama's pine tree forests are facing a new problem this year.The Alabama Forestry Commission said brown spot needle blight is a fungal disease that causes needle discoloration and needle drop.The new threat comes after southern pine beetles affected about 52,000 acres of pine forests in 2024.“Just in the last few days, the agency started receiving calls, and the disease seems to be infecting trees with greater severity in West Alabama,” said AFC Forest Health Coordinator Drew Metzler. “Although this pathogen has been affecting loblolly pines for years, mild wet weather over recent weeks has provided ideal growing conditions for brown spot needle blight, with infections generally beginning in the lower canopy of affected pines and spreading upward through the crown if conditions allow.” Metzler also said as temperatures increase with summer climate, the trees usually green back up.Forest landowners are encouraged to inspect their pines regularly and monitor conditions.Deep dive: WVTM 13 Investigates

Alabama's pine tree forests are facing a new problem this year.

The Alabama Forestry Commission said brown spot needle blight is a fungal disease that causes needle discoloration and needle drop.

The new threat comes after southern pine beetles affected about 52,000 acres of pine forests in 2024.

“Just in the last few days, the agency started receiving calls, and the disease seems to be infecting trees with greater severity in West Alabama,” said AFC Forest Health Coordinator Drew Metzler. “Although this pathogen has been affecting loblolly pines for years, mild wet weather over recent weeks has provided ideal growing conditions for brown spot needle blight, with infections generally beginning in the lower canopy of affected pines and spreading upward through the crown if conditions allow.”

Metzler also said as temperatures increase with summer climate, the trees usually green back up.

Forest landowners are encouraged to inspect their pines regularly and monitor conditions.

Deep dive: WVTM 13 Investigates

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