Pine Wilt Threatens Nebraska Trees

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Pine trees are endangered by a disease sweeping across Nebraska.

Pine wilt is compared to Dutch elm disease, which claimed thousands of trees in the 1960s and 70s. The disease is taking its toll on scotch pines and some Austrian pines, and it's almost always fatal.

Forestry officials are concerned because over the last 30 years, millions of those types of trees have been planted in Nebraska

Lincoln has seen pine wilt for a few years, but this is the first year Omaha has seen multiple scotch pines come down with the disease. Those are located primarily on the southern edge of the city.

The state forestry services will sponsor a workshop for city and state officials, arborists and landscapers to look for more ways to deal with pine wilt. They'll also use the conference to encourage increased and more diversified tree planting.

If a tree has pine wilt it must be cut down, chipped, shredded or buried to prevent spread of the disease.