Should you remove dead pines after bark beetles?

Pines in the Sierra foothills and at Tahoe have been hit by bark beetles, and many homeowners see a tree turn yellow and then red-brown. The U.S. Forest Service and the Nevada Division of Forestry have written about what is happening. This guide covers what they say, in plain terms.

What are the signs of a bark beetle attack?

The Forest Service's leaflet on the Jeffrey pine beetle says attacked trees are not usually detected until the crown fades from green to yellow to reddish-brown. Trees attacked early in summer may start to fade in late fall of the same year, and trees attacked later in the summer typically do not fade until late spring or early summer of the next year. Trees killed by the Jeffrey pine beetle usually fade evenly throughout the crown.

Large, reddish pitch tubes on the bark surface mark the points of attack and can be found long before crown fading. Successful attacks show pink to dark-reddish pitch tubes containing boring dust and frass. By the time the crown is red-brown, the offspring beetles have likely already left the tree.

What is happening in Nevada

The 2023 Nevada Forest Health Highlights, from the Forest Service and the Nevada Division of Forestry, list fir engraver, mountain pine beetle, subalpine fir decline, pinyon ips and Jeffrey pine beetle among the top damage agents in the state. It describes bark beetle sanitation efforts in the Western Region, including a project at Mt. Rose Ski Resort where 107 beetle-infested trees on a 40-acre area were marked, cut and chipped in fall 2023. See our bark beetles in pines page.

Why removal is common advice

The Forest Service leaflet says removing infested trees can reduce the number of trees infested in the immediate surrounding area the following year. It cites removal projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin and elsewhere in the 1980s and 1990s where subsequent tree mortality was reduced when trees were removed before beetle emergence. If removal is not possible, the leaflet says infested trees may be cut and burned or chipped to kill beetles.

A dead pine is also brittle, and a dead tree near a house is a hazard apart from the beetles. Dead branches and tops can fall in wind or snow.

Do you need a permit to remove a dead pine at Tahoe?

TRPA says no permit is needed to remove a dead tree that could fall on a house. A conifer counts as dead if it has no green needles. For a dead tree away from a house, contact a TRPA forester to ask whether a permit is required. A live tree over 14 inches DBH needs a permit, so a tree that is only partly affected may still be a permit case. See the Tahoe permit guide.

Wood from beetle-killed pines

Treat the wood carefully. Do not move it to a new area, and buy and burn firewood locally. If chips are made, see what happens to the wood and chips and Nevada firewood rules. Battle Born does not offer spraying or pest treatment; the Forest Service leaflet discusses insecticide options, and the Extension office and licensed applicators are the contacts for those.

Getting an assessment

A pine can turn color for other reasons, including drought and root problems, so a certified arborist should look. We do not diagnose from a photo and never tell a reader a tree is safe. Battle Born Tree Service has two ISA Certified Arborists on staff, including ISA Certified Arborist WE-11728A. Large pines near homes can be removed with a crane or boom truck; see crane vs climbing vs bucket truck. If a tree is on a house or a line, call 911 if anyone is hurt, stay away from lines and call NV Energy, then call 775.232.8243 for our 24-hour emergency service.