7th Grade Tree Detectives

Dave Williamson’s 7^th grade science class recently took the role of tree detectives. After noticing that two mature trees had suddenly died, the students embarked on a two-week study of the longleaf pine trees on O’Neal’s campus.  An interview with Lane Trevarrow, Isabella Liberatore and Aubrey McVey helped to explain the process. “We researched the typical causes of death for the longleaf pine,” they stated. “We narrowed the causes down to: root rot, the IPS beetle, the black turpentine beetle or the Southern Pines beetle.” They collected data on the two dead trees as well as over 30 neighboring trees in an attempt to determine what the cause of death of these pines had been, and decide if the campus had a larger problem that might affect more trees in the area. “We came to the conclusion that the pine trees had been killed by the IPS engraver beetle with a little help from the black turpentine beetles,” exclaimed the students.  These beetles are native to the area and only present a problem when their numbers grow too large.  Over spring break, the two dead trees were taken down, the tree company provided the class with slices of the trees called “tree cookies”. After examining the slices the cause of death was confirmed. The students also learned that Bifin IXS spray can be used to prevent or rid the beetles at the early stages. “Look near the bottom of the tree and if you see 18 to 24 perfect round holes per square foot ranging in size from a half dollar to a pin, it could be beetles,” advised the students. “Woodpecker holes are less perfect and rough and are easy to differentiate.”  The students are now continuing to watch the neighboring trees to see if removal of the infested trees has prevented the problem from spreading.

 

The students later presented their findings to the Middle School.