White Pine Sap and Borers: Hurricane Risk Assessment

The thick white sap ("bird droppings") on your 100-ft white pine is pitch flow from borer attacks at old pruning wounds. Borers (likely white pine weevil or bark beetles) are attracted to stressed/wounded wood.

Borer Management

• Spray accessible wounds with bifenthrin or permethrin in spring.
• Fertilize annually (slow-release 10-10-10 or tree spikes) to boost vigor.
• Water deeply during drought.
• Professional trunk injection (emamectin benzoate) for high-value trees—lasts 2 years.

Hurricane Risk

White pines can fail in Cat 2/3 winds, especially if:

• Root plate is restricted (near structures).
• Internal decay from borers/fungi.
• Codominant stems with included bark.

Your tree is 5 ft from the deck—high target risk.

Recommendation

1. Hire a TRAQ-certified arborist for formal risk assessment.
2. If decay/borer damage is extensive in lower trunk, removal may be wisest.
3. If retained, crown reduction (by pro) reduces wind sail.

Don't guess on a 100-ft tree over a deck. Get a professional risk rating.