06/01/2026
🚨 This tiny beetle can kill an entire stand of pine trees.
And they’ve arrived here on Cape Cod.
For the past three years, our team has worked diligently on Martha’s Vineyard assisting in the battle against Southern Pine Beetle infestations. We’ve witnessed firsthand the devastation these insects can cause—killing healthy pine trees, spreading rapidly through forests, and leaving behind thousands of dead and dying trees.
Unfortunately, these beetles have now made their way to Cape Cod, and we’re seeing impacted trees in the Yarmouth area.
The footage shown here captures one of the most recognizable signs of infestation: pitch tubes. These popcorn-like blobs of resin are a tree’s attempt to defend itself as beetles bore beneath the bark. When enough beetles attack at once, even healthy trees can be overwhelmed.
Southern Pine Beetles disrupt a tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. By the time needles begin turning yellow, orange, or reddish-brown, the damage is often already well underway.
As Licensed Timber Harvesters, we’re sharing this not to alarm people, but to raise awareness. Early detection and proactive forest management are critical to slowing the spread and protecting our local forests.
Cape Cod’s forests are one of our greatest natural resources. Together, we can help protect them for future generations.
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