Dead and beetle-killed pine removal in Florence, SC
A dead tree near the house is a problem that only gets worse as the wood dries out. Here's how to tell what's going on and how these trees come down.
Tall pines are everywhere in Florence yards, and when one dies it usually happens fast. A tree that looked fine in spring can have a rust-red crown by late summer. Dead pines get brittle, shed limbs and become harder for a climber to trust, so the removal is usually safer and simpler the sooner it's done.
How do I know if beetles killed it?
Clemson's Home & Garden Information Center lists the signs of pine bark beetles:
- Crown needles turning yellow, then orange, then red
- Small, popcorn-like pitch tubes on the bark, often with brown sawdust (southern pine beetle)
- Brown sawdust with few pitch tubes (Ips engraver beetles)
- Large pitch tubes on the lower 10 to 12 feet of the trunk (black turpentine beetle)
- Small round exit holes in the bark
Clemson notes that southern pine beetle can produce four to six generations a year in South Carolina and Ips six to eight, which is why one dead pine can become several.
Can the tree be treated?
Not once it shows symptoms. Clemson says trees that already show signs of infestation won't benefit from treatment. Some insecticides are labeled to protect healthy neighboring pines, but they're costly and should be chosen with a trained professional. Anyone who sprays or injects trees for hire in South Carolina needs a commercial applicator license in Clemson's ornamental and turf category.
Other hazard trees
- Leaning trees with soil heaving or roots lifting on the far side
- Hardwoods with decay: mushrooms at the base, soft wood or a large cavity
- Split trunks, common on older Bradford pears with tight forks
- Lightning-struck pines, which Clemson lists among the stresses that attract beetles
How are these trees taken down?
With dead or decayed wood, crews often work from a bucket truck instead of climbing, use a crane near the house, or take the tree in smaller pieces. Removing nearby infested wood matters too, since Clemson advises clearing Ips-infested slash and downed trees close to healthy ones, and taking care not to wound the pines left standing.
The tree company sets the price after it has seen the tree, what it could hit and how a truck, lift or grinder can reach it. We don't quote prices, and a number given over the phone before anyone has looked at the job is only a guess.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Can a pine with beetles be saved?
Usually not once the needles are turning and pitch tubes are showing. Clemson says infested trees won't benefit from treatment, though healthy neighbors can sometimes be protected.
Who can tell me whether a tree is dangerous?
An ISA Certified Arborist can assess it. Many tree companies have one on staff, and you can also hire one separately for an opinion before you pay for a removal.
Related services
More background: Florence, SC tree removal guide.
A pine leaning toward the roof, a split Bradford pear, or a stump you're tired of mowing around?
Call the number above and get connected with a tree company that works in Florence and the Pee Dee.