What is attacking my pine trees?

I live in North Carolina and something is attacking my pines. I suspect a squirrel but have not seen any. It is chewing off the young branches on the top of my trees. It is also chewing through the pine cones. Does anyone know how to stop this. I am afraid I am going to have a bunch of bald trees in my pine forest. Thank you.

What is attacking my pine trees?
Ok, it is definitely not gypsy moth or pine beetles. Gypsy moths eat leaves, and pine beetles eat bark. Like many others said, it is most likely squirrels or chipmunks, who eat the small seeds inside the pinecones. You can't do much but kill them or feed them something else. It's hard to keep them away when they find something they like.
Reply:squirrels and chipmonks will both do this in pursuit of the seeds in the cones.





a pellet gun will deal with these critters quite effectively.
Reply:It sounds as though you may have an infestation of pine bark beetles. If you've had unseasonably warm winters for a few years, they won't get killed off from year to year, and can continue their assault on a given tree without interruption. Unfortunately, there really isn't a treatment for it; once a tree is infested to the point of being obvious, it's usually too late. I wish I had better news.
Reply:It could be squirrels they do eat buds of trees and pinecones, plus there are alot of them in NC. Try putting out some kinda squirrel feeder. You said you didn't see any squirrels, but if they are there they will come out of hiding if put corn or seeds out nearby the pine trees. Plus the squirrels will be to busy eating that stuff instead of the pinetrees. If it is squirrels they probably are just stocking up for winter so in a couple of months they will leave the trees alone.
Reply:LITTLE FOOT
Reply:Aliens, they use the pine tree sap as fuel.





You may have guessed I have no idea.
Reply:maybe it's gypsy moth - is there a nest of them up there? I heard they destoy trees.

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