BROOKINGS Theres an old saying, Life isnt fair.
Its often linked to Mother Natures penchant for stirring things up or to humanitys self-inflicted cruelties but now its also a reality for pine trees in Brookings as they face pine wilt, a disease thats a certain death sentence.
The disease is caused by a nematode, and its already in the city.
Were already starting to see the effects of it in town, pretty significant impacts, Parks, Recreation & Forestry Director Kristin Zimmerman told the Brookings Register in a recent interview. Once a tree has the nematode … it will be dead. Theres nothing that we can do. To help prevent the spread, we cut down the trees as quickly as possible.
She said the nematode is native to North America and has lived here for thousands of years without wiping out forests because most native pine trees evolved to resist it. However, it became a problem in the 1900s when the nematode was accidentally exported to Japan. There, and in other parts of Asia, there was no natural resistance and subsequent pine tree losses were devastating. From Japan, it spread into Korea, China, Taiwan and Europe. Back in North America, it became a problem because non-native pine trees, such as Scotch pines from Europe, were imported and are widely spread.
It doesnt impact the native pines. Its the Scotch pines that arent necessarily native to our area which are typically what people find as their Christmas tree, Zimmerman said.
A list of pine trees that are native to the Brookings area, and thus arent affected by the nematode, is available at the Parks, Recreation and Forestry office in the Brookings City & County Government Center at 520 Third St.
What to watch for
The diseases impacts can be obvious. Youll start to see dieback dead branches in some of the pine trees, Zimmerman explained. Youll see that throughout town and especially as you drive down Interstate 29 to Sioux Falls; youll see some of the dead pine trees out on the farmland.
Pine wilts presence is typically visible within six months of infestation by the nematode, depending on the size of the tree and other factors, including the nematode population and how fast it reproduces.
Signs indicating pine wilt include die-off being evident first on branches, then at the top of the tree, along with brown needles, Zimmerman further explained.
Theres nothing you can do, she said. I know its kind of harsh, but theres not even anything you know, with emerald ash borer we can treat trees and kind of do some of that preventative work. Theres nothing thats available on market right now to combat pine wilt.
There is a bit of light in the darkness, though, with Zimmerman noting that spruce trees are not affected by the nematode.
Theres a difference between pine and spruce, Zimmerman said.
There are spruce trees in Brookings, and some had to be removed recently as well, but not because of pine wilt.
At Sixth (Street) and 22nd (Avenue), we did have to take down some of the spruce trees there because they were planted too close together, she explained. They were dying and reaching the end of their life expectancy.
That said, she pointed out some pine trees behind the city of Brookings sign were also removed because they were showing signs of pine wilt.
We want to nip that in the bud before it spreads further, Zimmerman said.
What can be done
When it comes to battling pine wilt disease, a successful strategy revolves around a single approach: diversity. Its something the city is already undertaking, with Zimmerman pointing out that the city is planting a lot more spruce and deciduous trees.
Were putting in a good mix. No more than 10 percent of any of the trees planted will be any one kind of species to spread it out so were not dealing with the ash (tree) impact were experiencing now, she said.
Zimmerman said residents should consider a similar approach to the tree canopy in their yard: Focus on planting a wide variety of trees.
They shouldnt plant all maple trees, they shouldnt plant all elm trees, they shouldnt plant all ash trees or poplars or hackberries or what have you, she said. Everybody should plant a diverse species of everything in their yard. It improves habitat, our urban canopy and allows the homeowners to help combat the future diseases that are going to come into our community at some point.
If residents have questions about the trees on their property, Zimmerman encouraged them to use the Engage Brookings app, which can be found at https://shorturl.at/ gYPod.
If you have any questions, you can take a picture of your tree and use (the) Engage Brookings (app) and then we can answer those questions, she said.
The citys tree-planting efforts will include boulevards as well.
We ask that as we plant trees in your boulevard spaces, youre watering them as well, she said. Well come by periodically, but itll likely need more water than we can provide.
Responsibilities
Zimmerman reminded folks that diseased trees on private property are the responsibility of the property owner. Boulevard trees, she added, are considered to be public.
The citys tree ordinance requires that property owners take care of their diseased trees including taking them down once theyve died or have been infected or infested.
Dead trees are a hazard, Zimmerman said.
She further noted that the citys forestry team is canvassing neighborhoods from public rights of way theres no barging into someones back yard looking for signs of tree diseases such as EAB, Dutch Elm disease and pine wilt. If found, the team will leave a note or talk with the homeowner.
We want to be good neighbors, but at the end of the day, we also want to make sure were maintaining our urban canopy, Zimmerman said. It really helps our residents with their utility bills, it helps just create one of those Im not going to lie, one of the things that makes Brookings iconically Brookings is our trees.
Thats one of the many things that I love about Brookings, and I think a lot of our community is right there with me, she continued. It takes everybody to help take care of it as much as possible.
All that said, Brookings residents can expect changes to the citys canopy in the years ahead thanks to pine wilt, the emerald ash borer beetle and Dutch Elm disease.
Our trees are stressed in Brookings and want to make sure were really taking care of the trees that we have, Zimmerman said. Our urban canopy is going to look different.
Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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