Southern Pine Beetle Infestation

There have been numerous reports from cooperatives in the Southeast detailing massive damage as the result of the infestation of the Southern Pine Beetle (SPB). The majority of the damage consists of power outages and potential personal injury due to falling limbs and trees.

The SPB is one of the most destructive pests of pines in the southern United States. This insect killed approximately 4.5 million board feet of pine timber from 1973 through 1977 in the southern US. It attacks and can kill all species of pine, but prefers loblolly and shortleaf. Major outbreaks usually last 3 to 5 years and occur in irregular cycles of 7 to 10 years.

The U.S. Forest Service and the respective state Departments of Forestry have participated in remedial efforts to provide for safer and less disruptive conditions for the public and businesses.

RUS may be able to help by providing financial assistance to borrowers for a portion of the power line right-of-way clean-up work. In situations where there are a vast number of trees with a high probability of falling, utilities have learned that in addition to clearing the immediate right-of-way, the most prudent solution is to widen the existing right-of-way sufficiently to assure that the remaining trees cannot reach the conductors, should they eventually fall. RUS will consider approval of loans to all affected borrowers to widen current rights-of-way to take potential tree problems out of the picture. This financing assistance would be for costs of cutting and clearing on each side of existing rights-of-way for specified distances designated by the borrower as sufficient to assure that trees will not fall into conductors. The cutting and clearing of the existing right-of-way would be treated as maintenance work and be financed by the borrower. If borrowers would like to consider pursuing RUS financing of right-of-way clearing, please contact your RUS General Field Representative.