13 Pine Trees Infected with 'Pine Wilt Nematode' in Seosan... Emergency Control Measures Implemented

Some branches of pine trees infected with pine wilt disease are showing signs of dieback. The photo is unrelated to the article. Source=Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy (Seosan) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Pine wilt disease-infected trees have been found in Seosan, Chungnam, prompting local governments and forestry authorities to launch emergency control measures.

On the 16th, it was confirmed that 13 pine trees near Dokgot-ri, Daesan-eup, Seosan City, Chungnam Province were infected with pine wilt disease.

Earlier, the province announced that after the Provincial Forest Resources Research Institute made a preliminary diagnosis of suspected pine wilt disease-infected dead trees on the 4th, a secondary diagnosis by the National Institute of Forest Science confirmed that the suspected dead trees had died due to pine wilt disease.

The dead pine trees were found in an area regularly monitored by the Provincial Forest Resources Research Institute.

Accordingly, the province, Seosan City, and forestry authorities designated a no-transport zone within a 2 km radius centered on the pine wilt disease outbreak area and completely restricted the movement of pine species including pine, Japanese red pine, and Korean pine with a diameter of 2 cm or more.

However, ornamental trees cultivated by farmers can be moved with a non-infection confirmation certificate issued by the Provincial Forest Resources Research Institute under limited conditions.

On the same day, the province held an emergency control countermeasure meeting in Dokgot-ri, Daesan-eup, with related agencies such as the Korea Forest Service and Seosan City to discuss detailed monitoring, control strategy establishment, and epidemiological investigation plans.

Additionally, with support from the Central Regional Forest Service and the Pine Wilt Monitoring Center of the Korea Forestry Promotion Institute, aerial and ground detailed monitoring of forests around the outbreak area will be strengthened, and preventive projects such as tree injections to prevent the spread of pine wilt disease will be conducted in phases until the end of this month.

A provincial official said, “We ask that if you find dead pine trees, please report immediately to the city or county forestry department.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.