SOUTHERN PINE BEETLE PREVENTION PROGRAM

Financial incentives are available for a limited time to help forest landowners in Alabama protect pine forests from bark beetle attacks.  In the short term, these incentives are designed to offset some of the costs of SPB prevention measures.  The long-term goal is to reduce the susceptibility of Alabama forests to future SPB outbreaks. 

Federal funds from the U.S. Forest Service and administered by the Alabama Forestry Commission will be awarded to qualified private landowners once the approved thinning practices are completed.  Contact your local AFC office for sign-up periods.

The southern pine beetle (SPB) is the number one killer of pines in Alabama.  Unmanaged and overcrowded stands of loblolly and shortleaf pines are susceptible to attack.  Epidemic populations of this bark beetle occur almost every year in Alabama.  Expanding populations, if not controlled, may devastate entire forests causing millions of dollars in damage.

 Thinning of dense, slow-growing pine stands will stimulate growth and vigor in young stands and reduce the SPB hazard.  To qualify for federal funds, your pine stand must have a SPB hazard rating from medium to very high and you must receive a written approval from the Alabama Forestry Commission before beginning a thinning practice.  You must meet certain program guidelines when implementing the thinning activities.  Landowners who own less than 60 acres of land, have not participated in cost share programs in the last 10 years, and whose timber has a very high SPB Hazard Rating will receive priority ranking.

 Thinning practices and other requirements for these incentive funds are:

  • Non-commercial thinning in young stands with greater than 500 stems per acre (Timber that is too small to be sold commercially, less than 5 inches DBH).
  • SPB Thinning in stands greater than 16 years old on low site index soils with an average DBH of less than 8 inches and minimum of 100 SPB Hazard Rating score.
  • SPB Thinning in stands less than 16 years old with a minimum of 100 SPB Hazard Rating score
  • Additionally, this must be the first thinning on existing loblolly or shortleaf pine stands that are at least 10 acres in size.
  • On soils rated High Hazard for Annosus Root Rot, Borax must be applied to the stumps after thinning.
  • Incentive costs will be reimbursed to the landowner at the rate of $50/acre for thinning and $20/acre for Borax application, not to exceed a maximum of $5,000 per landowner per year.

To apply for funding, contact your local Alabama Forestry Commission office for an application.  If you are unsure of your local office’s address or phone number, look on the Alabama Forestry Commission website: www.forestry.alabama.gov.  Select the county where your property is located to access the AFC office information.  Alternatively, you may contact the state Landowner Assistance Forester, Arthur Hitt, at (334) 240-9323.