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Our native pine tree, the Slash Pine, is in trouble in areas of the island. The pine bark beetle has been a pest of these lovely trees for years around the Island Country Club.

The slash pine is a beautiful conifer which can grow to 100 feet but is usually in the range of 70 to 80 feet. The tree’s habit of growth is tall and slender while branching out at the top of the tree. It’s self pruning in that the old dead branches fall to the ground without help from man. It will tolerate soil that is wet or dry but needs a sunny location. This pine will re-seed easily in the gardens of the area.

The problems begin for this tree when we build around them. They are very sensitive to construction or foot traffic and also, artificial irrigation. Pine bark beetles will often attack and kill these weakened trees. Too much soil fill around the roots can cause a lack of oxygen. Or damage to the root system following the construction of driveways, patios, sidewalks, etc., can leave a stressed pine.

Sometimes, if damage to more than half the root system is unavoidable, it’s best to just remove the tree. Signs of infestation of the pine bark beetles include foliage discoloration with the needles turning yellow and then brown. Small lumps of white pitch will appear on the trunk along with brown bark dust in crevices or on leaves beneath the pitch from the boring activity. Under the bark you will find narrow galleries made from the tunneling beetles.

The best control for this beetle is to keep your slash pines healthy. Healthy trees have a high resin supply and pressure to force the beetles out of the bark before they can begin their tunneling. Avoid injury to the tree or heavy traffic around the root zone.

If you discover these beetles, remove the infested tree or peel off the infested bark and remove it from the site. Spray nearby trees, as well as the infested tree, during periods of activity as seemingly healthy trees can be susceptible to infestation. Certain pine oil compounds have been effective in repelling the beetles and there are nematodes which can be injected into the borer holes to eat the insects.

These beetles kill trees by boring through the outer bark and into the inner bark and sap wood. The female beetle deposits eggs along the sides of long egg galleries. The larva will then hatch and tunnel in the same areas as the adult beetles severing the tree’s nutrient transport systems. Fungi can also be introduced interfering with the water transport system of the tree. The larva will then pupate within the bark and emerge as adult beetles to infest another nearby tree.

These beetles can have up to 10 generations per year. If you suspect you have these beetles contact the Collier County Extension Office to inquire about new treatments that might be on the market.

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Coral Vine

• Native vine which is a climber.

• This medium to coarse has heart shaped leaves and tends to hand pendant like.

• Masses of bright pink flowers one half inch long, five petals ending in sprays of color at ends.

• Blooms late summer and fall.

• Watch this vine closely or it will escape to undesirable areas of your garden.

• Full sun for best flowering, tolerates most soils and dry conditions.