US officials warn the Southern pine beetle could hugely impact Alabama's $11bn wood products industry this year. " The results can be devastating to forest industries. The beetles are a major threat to trees in southern states such as Alabama, Georgia and Florida, where they have killed millions of trees. Foresters fear the US could be heading down the same path as the devastating outbreak that begin in 1999 in Tennessee and led to more than $1bn in timber losses. They are already seeing signs of increased activity by the beetles. Normally evidence of beetle damage does not emerge until May or June.
US officials warn the Southern pine beetle could hugely impact Alabama's $11bn wood products industry this year. The beetles are a major threat to trees in southern states such as Alabama, Georgia and Florida, where they have killed millions of trees. Foresters fear the US could be heading down the same path as the devastating outbreak that begin in 1999 in Tennessee and led to more than $1bn in timber losses. They are already seeing signs of increased activity by the beetles. Normally evidence of beetle damage does not emerge until May or June.