Pinewood Nematode

A Technical Report from The Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories

The pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) is the most destructive pest of forest and landscape pines in Japan. This nematode invades the stems and branches of pines causing a sudden wilting and death of the tree regardless of its age or size. The pinewood nematode was first thought to be a recent introduction into the United States; however, it is now believed to be a native pest, which had gone undetected. The pinewood nematode does not appear to represent a severe threat to coniferous forests in the United States but may cause random death of pines in the landscape.