Why is the beetle attacking white pines?
Generally, white pine is able to repel beetle attacks. The mechanism that all pine trees use to repel beetle attacks is resin flow when the beetle first bores into the tree. White pine usually has more resin flow to repel the beetle when compared to yellow pines such as Virginia, loblolly and shortleafpines. However, the high beetle population densities and the late season droughts that have reduced resin flow have made white pine more susceptible to southern pine beetle. Pine beetle has also been found in hemlock this year.
