Here to stay at Georgica Pond
Many stately old pitch pine trees (Pinus rigida) grow near Georgica Pond and the town’s largest pitch pine forest (pine barrens) is within the pond’s watershed directly north of Montauk Highway. In 19th and 18th century deeds there are references to a place known as “Georgica Pines” on the east side of Georgica Pond so we know that pitch and white pine have been an important part of the ecology of Georgica Pond for centuries.
The southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis), a species native to the southeastern United States has migrated north—enabled by global warming—and is now well established in East Hampton. The beetles were first detected in Suffolk County in 2014 and by 2017 had been found in East Hampton Town. In a steady march east, they were detected in Hither Hills and Napeague State Parks in 2021.
Fire Hazard
The beetles are not strong flyers and attract each other by releasing pheromones. The beetles are tiny—about the size of a grain of rice. The worst hit areas where there is sometimes 100% mortality of pitch pine trees, have been dense pine stands where the beetles can move easily from one tree to another. Initial efforts to suppress the spread by thinning healthy trees adjacent to infestations has not been successful. The enormous fuel load left in the landscape by the dead trees is a hazard. To address this, multiple landowning agencies and fire departments are developing a plan to reintroduce fire to reduce the fuel load in Napeague and Montauk. In Northwest Woods and Wainscott, according to East Hampton Town Councilman Tom Flight, “the Town has been working in conjunction with the DEC, local fire departments, Town, and external municipal departments, to manage fire risk across these areas. To date actions taken across the Town include:
- Improving emergency access routes, maintaining fire roads, and clearing defensible space in Town lands adjacent to private residences that may be considered at risk.
- Upgrading water access points.
- Working with property owners to ensure driveways and access roads are passable for emergency vehicles.
- Felling identified dead standing trees to reduce fire load and enhance safety for trail users.
- Working with Fire Departments to identify needs and resources such as infrastructure, access, equipment.
Left. The East Hampton to Sag Harbor Trail which starts at the north side of the Route 27 Rest Stop is one of many places to witness southern pine beetle damage. Right. High fuel load from felled trees along the trail. Photos by Sara Davison
Natural Controls
Experts believe that as the rest of the southern pine beetle’s own biome migrate north, natural checks to the species will be established. Already they have found another beetle, the clerid beetle, which is a natural predator of the SPB and a fungus which can help regulate the SPB. In the newly opened up forest, carpets of pitch pine and white pine seedlings can be seen growing to replace the former trees. Managing for a forest of more widely spaced pines is a desired goal as it is thought they will be more resistant to future SPB outbreaks. As the SPB has become a natural part of our ecosystem, eradication is not possible.
Newly emerged pitch pine seedling and pitch pine cones. Photos by Sara Davison
Although a number of the large pitch pine trees near the pond have died and fallen, there are still quite a few left. We remain hopeful they will persist since they occur in small patches or are widely spaced. These tall conifers are important to wildlife as a food source, habitat and have been used as nest trees by bald eagles.
Bald eagle in pitch pine. Photo by Alfred Ross. Great egret in pitch pine. Photo by Priscilla Rattazzi.
What you can do
- Support the State, County and Town’s efforts to use prescribed burns to manage pine barrens forests.
- Keep your pitch pine trees healthy and widely spaced for good air flow.
- Remove large accumulations of dead trees
- Keep informed on new developments about this changing infestation.