October 2023 Newsletter - Vol. 1, Issue 2

A 'Pitch' for Pines | Urban Forest Arbor Care

Preserving Our Pitch Pines

Pitch Pine, 'pinus rigida', is one of the dominant tree species on Cape Cod. It is a hardy drought-tolerant, fire-adapted tree that can grow well in dry, sandy, and barren soils. Although it is notably resistant to fire, injury, deer, and salt, it has become susceptible to boring insects such as 'Black Turpentine' and 'Southern Pine' beetles.

(Read about Black Turpentine Beetle)


Aside from growing successfully across the Cape, Pitch Pines tend to have a beautiful shape—especially when cared for over time. Mid-winter seeds help feed squirrels and birds while deer and rabbits enjoy early sprouts and seedlings.


Preserving our pitch pines begins with proper pruning. Mindful removal of dead, broken, and interfering limbs increases the beauty of the tree while also allowing the canopy to breathe and better withstand strong winds and snow load. Also, tip-reduction (cutting small amounts off the ends of the limbs) reduces weight without removing massive sections from the tree.


Conversely, improper pruning cuts (e.g. lopping off large lower limbs) can create sizeable wounds, attract boring insects, and affect the overall balance, stability, and future health of the tree.

Canopy Management Services

Plan Ahead - Prevent & Protect

Treat your trees to battle boring beetles

Pitch Pine, White Pine, and Norway Spruce trees can be protected against (or treated for) boring insects using specialized bark spray and injection methods to prevent or eradicate infestations.


Bark spray applications (applied twice each spring) or injection treatments (performed every two years) can be affordable and scalable solutions for all your valuable pine and spruce trees. Ongoing treatment plans can help landowners prepare for 2-3 years of insect protection and can account for seasonally-timed complimentary services like pruning or deep root fertilization. Boring beetles prefer weakened or damaged trees so establishing high vigor and using preventative treatments are currently the best management strategies we have for deterring infestations.

Inquire About Pine Preservation Plans

Arborist's Spotlight

Pitch Pine tree of the month

"It is the signature tree of Cape Cod, growing in dry, barren areas, even in the white sands of a beach. Any tree that can fill this role in nature has my admiration." John N. Cullity - President, Sandwich Conservation Trust


Once used heavily by colonists for turpentine, tar, resin and fuel, pitch pines today serve as an important source of food and shelter for wildlife.

Read about Cape Pitch Pine History

See Our Recent Projects

Effective Trunk Injections


'Trunk Injection' is the most effective alternative to spraying or utilizing soil-applied pesticides for tree insect and pest control.


Learn more about injection treatments...

Beech Preservation Project


A client contacted us concerned about the health of four beautiful American Beech trees in his backyard.


See how we used fungi to aid root health...

Kwanzan Cherry Preservation


When consulted for recommendations on preserving our clients' Cherry trees, we discovered the mulch bed was detrimentally small and the lawn was growing too close to the trunks of the trees.


See how we cared for the root zone...

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