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Martin County 104 Kehukee Park Road Williamston, NC 27892 (252) 792-1621 Phone (252) 792-2408 Fax MAP 
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County landowners may receive notices during the summer that Southern Pine Beetles are active on their property. Memories of the outbreak in the mid seventies may send many scurrying to put timber on the market without first evaluating the situation. This panic may swamp even large companies with sales notices for timber that does not need cutting as well as timber that does. Such a panic only serves to severely depress prices and prevent needed attention to trouble spot that could spread rapidly. Several buyers have also reportedly added to the panic to get timber at way below market price. Other buyers have been very professional and honest in their advice to landowners. Who do you believe? Your first step should be to contact your local county ranger with the Division of Forestry. Most phone books have the number listed under NC State of ...Forest Service. Or contact your local Extension Center. The Forest Service has all the information on your spot. They will be glad to make an on the ground evaluation at no charge. We will be glad to assist as well with marketing your timber and doing the necessary presale tax preparations. Recommendations on cutting may vary from do nothing to cut a few trees to cut a large block of timber. In either case cool weather has slowed beetle spread enough to allow for an evaluation before cutting. Small infestations may be controlled by natural predators such as checker beetles or wood peckers. These spots would require attention only if dead trees pose a hazard to property. Some small active spots could be controlled by cutting infested trees and a few buffer trees in December and simply leaving them to dry out.
Revised 2/16/2006.
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