A thorough inspection for pest damage has been conducted in the pine trees of “Niji no Matsubara,” a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. From next week, pesticides will be dispersed to protect the pines. Around a million pine trees spanning 4 kilometers make up the stunning “Niji no Matsubara.” On the 11th, local volunteers, as well as representatives from the national and prefectural governments, gathered for a meticulous inspection to assess any pest damage to the pines. These pests, known as pinewood nematodes, breed inside the trunk and branches, causing the pine trees to weaken and eventually die. The beetles that transport these nematodes lay eggs in the pines. Thus, if affected pines are left untreated, the damage could rapidly expand. During the inspection on the 11th, 641 pines were identified as potentially affected by the pests and were marked with white tape. The Saga Forestry Management Office plans to implement ground-level pesticide dispersion from the 15th of the month and, on the 23rd, will use a helicopter for aerial spraying. Source: RKB
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