Long Island’s Pitch Pines have been impacted by a northern migration of Southern Pine Beetle (an event directly tied to the warming climate). In an effort to control the spread, they’ve begun selective cuts (and burns) in some areas. These openings interest me because there’s hope there.
We have the same problem with our so-called bark beetle (same family). The problem increases as winters become shorter and warmer, especially in large areas with only planted spruce forest. Forests with mixed tree species of different ages, both conifers and deciduous trees, have been shown to resist the attacks much better.
JOHN TODARO PHOTOGRAPHY 
A harvested forest or natural “logging”?
Long Island’s Pitch Pines have been impacted by a northern migration of Southern Pine Beetle (an event directly tied to the warming climate). In an effort to control the spread, they’ve begun selective cuts (and burns) in some areas. These openings interest me because there’s hope there.
We have the same problem with our so-called bark beetle (same family). The problem increases as winters become shorter and warmer, especially in large areas with only planted spruce forest. Forests with mixed tree species of different ages, both conifers and deciduous trees, have been shown to resist the attacks much better.
Interesting.
…Pitch Pine is a fire climax species, so historically, there would’ve been many openings similar to the one seen here