What are the signs of southern pine beetle? The NC Forest Service lists three to watch for: popcorn-sized lumps of resin (pitch tubes) on the trunk, S-shaped galleries under the bark, and needles that turn from green to yellow to orange-red (NC Forest Service SPB guide). Loblolly and shortleaf pines are the most susceptible, and the Forest Service considers North Carolina's coastal plain, including Brunswick and Pender counties, one of the likeliest areas for a future outbreak.
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Below: how to read each sign, why the Wilmington area is on the watch list, what happens to an infested tree, and what removal typically involves and costs.
Sign 1: Pitch tubes on the trunk
When southern pine beetles bore into a pine, the tree pushes resin out of the entry holes. That resin hardens into small, popcorn-sized lumps called pitch tubes. The NC Forest Service describes them as one of the main signs of an attack (NCFS).
What to do: walk around your pines with binoculars and look along the trunk, not just at eye level. A few blobs of sap from a wound or a lawn-mower scrape are different from many small lumps scattered up the bark. If you are not sure what you are seeing, take photos and ask for an arborist assessment.
Sign 2: S-shaped galleries under the bark
Under the bark, the beetles leave winding, S-shaped galleries, which the NC Forest Service lists as another identifying sign. You will usually see them only where a piece of bark has come loose on a tree that is already in trouble.
Peeling bark on a large, tall pine is not a homeowner job. If loose bark or a dead top is anywhere near your house, keep people and cars out from under it until someone has looked at it.
Sign 3: Needles turning yellow, then orange
The most visible sign is color. The NC Forest Service describes needles fading from green to yellow, then turning orange-red. If one pine is changing color, have the pines around it checked too, since they share the same yard conditions and the same beetle population.
Why pines around Wilmington are on the watch list
Loblolly is the pine you see most in yards and newer subdivisions across Leland, Hampstead and the rest of the Cape Fear region, and the Forest Service rates loblolly and shortleaf as the most susceptible species. Longleaf is more tolerant but still susceptible (NCFS). The state runs a Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Program because the coastal plain is considered a likely area for outbreaks.
Pines carry a second risk here: NC State Extension lists pines among the trees to avoid near structures in hurricane country (Planting Trees With Hurricanes in Mind). A dead or dying pine near a house combines both problems. Our post on wind-resistant trees for coastal NC covers safer choices if you replant.
Can an infested pine be treated?
Usually not. A New Hanover County Extension director was quoted saying no pesticide is effective against an active infestation and that the main step is prompt removal of infested trees (quoted in a news report). Treat that as general guidance and ask a qualified professional about your trees specifically.
If a company does offer to spray or inject pines, North Carolina requires anyone who applies pesticides for pay on someone else's property to hold a commercial pesticide applicator license, in the Ornamental & Turf category for shade trees (NC State Extension). Ask for the license number before agreeing to any treatment.
What removing a beetle-killed pine involves
Prompt removal is the Extension advice quoted above. A company quoting pine tree removal will look at height, how close the tree is to the house, fences and lines, and whether the crew can drop it whole or must take it down in sections. Tight lots sometimes call for a crane.
Published cost guides put tree removal at about $695 on average in Wilmington, and by height at roughly $340–$650 for a 30 ft tree, $560–$1,080 for 50 ft and $790–$1,510 for 70 ft (LawnStarter Wilmington, HomeBlue) — typical ranges from published cost guides (2025–2026) — estimates, not quotes. The tree removal cost guide has the full table and a calculator.
Three details to get in writing:
- Haul-away. City of Wilmington curbside pickup takes limbs no more than 4 ft long and 6 in. in diameter, up to 7 cubic yards per collection, and does not pick up stumps, root balls or debris created by commercial contractors (City yard waste rules). Make sure your quote includes haul-away.
- The stump. Decide whether you want it ground or left; our stump grinding vs. stump removal post compares the two, and stump grinding in Wilmington covers depth and price. Before grinding, the company should submit an NC 811 locate request at least three full working days ahead (G.S. 87-122). Ask them to confirm they have.
- Permits and HOA approval. Some lots and districts need a permit even for a dead tree, and many HOAs require architectural approval before tree removal — check your covenants. See the Wilmington permit guide.
This is general information, not legal advice.
If a tree is touching or near a power line, stay away and call your electric utility (Duke Energy, or your co-op) — only utility-qualified crews should work near energized lines.
How to keep your other pines healthier
For larger stands of pine, the NC Forest Service's prevention program is the place to start. In a yard, ordinary good care helps: avoid damaging trunks and roots with construction, trenching or soil piled over the root zone, and keep an eye on any pine that already looks thin or stressed. If several pines stand close together and one has died, have the others checked. Before you hire anyone, ask for:
- A certificate of general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage.
- Whether an ISA Certified Arborist is on staff (a private credential from the International Society of Arboriculture, not a state license; verify at treesaregood.org).
- Whether the company is TCIA Accredited (a private Tree Care Industry Association program).
- An NC commercial pesticide applicator license (Ornamental & Turf category) if they will spray or inject.
- A written quote that states cleanup, haul-away, stump grinding depth and whether a permit is included.
Frequently asked questions
What does southern pine beetle damage look like?
The NC Forest Service lists popcorn-sized pitch tubes (hardened resin lumps) on the trunk, S-shaped galleries under the bark, and needles fading from green to yellow to orange-red. Loblolly and shortleaf pines are the most susceptible. If you spot these signs, take photos and have the tree and its neighbors checked; an arborist assessment can confirm what you are seeing.
Can a pine with southern pine beetles be saved?
Generally not once beetles are established. A New Hanover County Extension director has been quoted saying no pesticide is effective and that prompt removal of infested trees is the main step. If any company offers to spray or inject, ask for its NC commercial pesticide applicator license in the Ornamental & Turf category before agreeing.
How much does it cost to remove a dead pine in Wilmington?
Published cost guides put tree removal at about $695 on average in Wilmington, with height-based ranges from about $340 to $650 for a 30 ft tree up to $900 to $1,730 for an 80 ft tree. These are estimates, not quotes. Access, nearby structures, crane use and haul-away all change the price, so compare written quotes.
Get a free quote for a dying pine
If your pines are showing pitch tubes or turning orange, a free, no-obligation quote request takes about a minute. We usually reply the same day and connect you with independent local companies; the company you choose quotes and does the work directly with you.