European house borer only affects dead dry pinewood such as dead pine trees, logs and dead branches on living pine trees. EHB also affects untreated pinewood manufactured articles such as structural and non-structural timber.
Pinus pinaster
Also known as Mediterranean pine or Maritime pine, Pinus pinaster is probably the most common pine species in the Perth metropolitan area. Most of the plantations to the north of Perth are comprised of Maritime pine.
Pinus radiata
Also known as Monterey Pine, Pinus radiata constitute most of the pine trees in plantations and properties in the Perth hills and southwest Western Australia.
Other pine species affected by EHB
Several other species of pine exist in Western Australia including Stone Pine (Pinus pinea), Brutian Pine (Pinus brutia), Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) and Canary Island Pine (Pinus canariensis).
These pines are all similar in appearance and are listed as susceptible to EHB.
Oregon (Douglas fir – Pseudotsuga spp) is also susceptible to EHB.
Pine tree foliage
A common feature of pine trees is the sheathed bundles (fascicles) of two, three or five needle like leaves. The fascicle is a collar at the join of the leaf at the branch. If a plant does not have fascicles at the base of each leaf cluster it is probably not a pine and therefore not of concern for EHB.
Common Perth tree species confused with Pinus species - these are not affected by EHB.
Sheoak
There are several specials of Sheoak trees which are often confused for pine trees due to their similar appearance. These include Swamp Sheoak (Casuarina obesa), Rock Sheoak (Allocasuraina huegliana), Scrub Sheoak (Casuarina humilis) and River Sheoak (Casuarina cunninghamiana).
Sheoaks are often most identifiable by their segmented needles (pines typically have a continuous needle without joints) and small, rough seed cases generally less than 2.5cm in diameter.
Sheoaks are NOT susceptible to EHB.
Norfolk Island Pine
Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is common around Perth, particularly in coastal areas. Typically used as an ornamental, this tree has strikingly symmetrical linear features and may grow to over 50m in height.
Although frequently referred to as pine, this is not a true Pinus species and is not susceptible to EHB.
Norfolk Island Pine is NOT susceptible to EHB.
Pencil Pines and other Conifers
Pencil pines and conifers are common garden plants found in Western Australia that are often mistaken for pine species.
These are not pines and are not susceptible to EHB.
Pencil pines and conifers are NOT susceptible to EHB.