Southern Pine Beetle Control Program

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All work will occur within the boundaries of the State of Mississippi. MFC’s goal is to reduce the threat of the Southern Pine Beetle in all counties where applicable. Since there is very little pine acreage in the Mississippi Delta, it is expected that this program will have the greatest impact in the non-delta counties.

In 2008, the Mississippi Forestry Commission initiated a cost share program to encourage private forest landowners to thin their dense pine stand and prevent future SPB infestations. These cost shares were provided to the landowner, and have served as an incentive to conduct thinning operations prior to the next SPB outbreak, regardless of market conditions for pulpwood.

Resources:

• SPB Cost Share Thinning Guidelines  (Updated 9-12-2011)
• Southern Pine Beetle Presentation on Prevention
• Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Program - USDA Forest Service Forest Health Protection, Southern Region Webpage
  

Landowner Cost Shares for Precommercial Thinning

To qualify for federal cost shares, a stand to be pre-commercially thinned must be:

1. 4-12 years of age,
2. Minimum of 10 and maximum of 5,000 acres
3. Have a stand density greater than 700 stems per acre
4. Privately owned forestland located in Mississippi
5. Be rated as moderate to high hazard for southern pine Beetle Outbreak
6. comprised of at least 70% loblolly, shortleaf, or slash pine

Federal cost shares for pre-commercial thinning are a flat $75 per acre. 

Receipts for actual costs need to be provided prior to the cost share payment being authorized. These receipts are needed for federal reporting purposes.

For more information on this program, please contact:

Andrew J. Londo, Ph.D.

Professor and Extension Forestry Coordinator

Department of Forestry

Box 9681

Mississippi State, MS  39762

Email: ajlondo@cfr.msstate.edu

Phone: (662) 325-8003

Fax: (662) 325-0027

For more information on the MFC Forest Health Program, contact:

Randy Chapin

District Forester, Southwest

P.O. Box 749

515 County Farm Lane NE

Brookhaven, Mississippi 39602-0749

(601) 833-6621 office

rchapin@mfc.state.ms.us