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Drought having a serious impact on pine survival The US Drought Monitor (http://drought.unl.edu.dm) shows 92 percent of Alabama severe conditions, 87 percent under extreme conditions and 73 percent in the worst exceptional conditions with historically low stream flows and parched, dry soil. Monitoring wells show ground water levels falling, reservoirs have fallen historic low levels and water temperatures are higher than normal. The atmosphere has been very dry with high wind, increasing the evaporation rate and further drying our soils and plant life. In August, we suffered through a record 12 days with temperatures over 100 degrees. Alabama has had over 4,000 fires burning over 68,000 acres, which is approximately 28,000 acres more than our annual average of 40,000 acres. Of course, wildfires have been of great concern and are being suppressed on a case by case basis, but drought conditions are creating extreme stress on trees and wildlife. The National Weather Service indicates that Alabama is in the worst 27 month rainfall totals since records have been kept the late 1800's. Many landowners and our staff have reported nearly 100 percent loss of tree seedlings across most areas of the State. Early season drought has a devastating impact on 1st year seedling survival. Young seedlings have not developed an adequate root system to cope with the transpiration stress caused by lack of moisture. Almost 200,000 acres were planted in 2006-07 planting season and landowners will have to spend an estimated 20 to 30 million dollars (assuming 70 - 100% mortality) for replanting, including seedlings and site preparation. Most landowners had to replant trees after last year's record drought and this will be the second time around for many landowners. A preliminary pine seedling survival survey conducted in June revealed average survival of 49 percent in the Northwest Region, 63 percent in the Northeast Region, and 80 percent in the two Southern Regions of the State. However, since that survey, we have had record high temperatures with continuing drought expanding exceptional conditions in Alabama. Seedlings that were alive in June are now dead, so we will conduct another survey for a more accurate count of the total loss in Alabama. Trees are a crop with a much longer rotation period, but are still susceptible to the same drought conditions as any other crop. This drought, coupled with the late freeze in central and north Alabama will result in a reduction of net annual growth which corresponds to a loss of substantial timber growth value to the State of Alabama. The effects on long term growth will not be apparent until next year or longer in many areas. Our continuing Forest Inventory and Analysis data will eventually show the effects on forest growth and health. Drought conditions also reduce trees natural ability to resist insect infestations and other forest pests. Alabama will see an increase in Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) infestation but research has shown that 5 days over 100 degrees will kill insect larvae, so the number of spots just now starting to increase. Anticipated impact due to insect activity to forest owners is estimated from $2-3 million. Oak decline kills oaks more gradually than beetle infestation. The wrath of this drought will be more evident next year or two years from now. Alabama will see an increase in mature, stressed red oaks dying from this disease complex. After several months of growing under stressful conditions, the oak trees began to die. Mortality will be most evident in late summer or early fall.
The Alabama Forestry Commission reports that the loss of seedlings, poor tree growth, increase in insect and disease outbreaks, along with increasing mortality of mature pine and hardwood represents drought emergency conditions for forest health, productivity and survival.
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