Pines / Cedars

Pines include about 120 species of evergreen conifers of the pine family and are distributed throughout the world but native primarily to northern temperate regions and are susceptible to several fungal diseases. The most common of which is white-pine blister rust. With increased drought and prolonged higher temperatures, pines are seeing a higher than normal rate of attack by many insects, such as bark beetles, sawflies, weevils, and pine tip moths. Pine forests often suffer severe fire damage, being very combustible because of their high resin content. Pines can tolerate drought but require full sunlight, clean air, and good health to sustain growth and reproduction.

True cedars are non-native to California, however, we do have many trees commonly named "cedars" because their fragrant bark and familiar scale like needles like look like that of true cedars. Most red cedars grow in full sun to partial shade, and their foliage acts as a great privacy screen. These evergreens can live more than 150 years and are quite popular additions to gardens and large properties alike.

Pine Beetles

Pine trees are under constant threat from a variety of wood boring insects. Not only do these beetles eat away at the cambium layer of your trees causing eventual tree death, they also carry the Blue Stain Fungus.

Blue Stain Fungus

The Blue Stain Fungus is carried into pines and cedars by wood boring insects. The fungus grows inside the tree and in response the tree begins to compartmentalize around the infection and will eventually cut itself off from its own roots and die.