Droughts killed more than 12 million trees in Mississippi and no one has the money to cut them down

Sat, 03/09/2024 - 07:30

A power line cutting through a pine forest in rural Mississippi at sunset. — Pine trees line a forest in rural Mississippi where droughts killed more than 12 million pines.
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Droughts and pine beetle infestations killed more than 12 million trees in Mississippi last year, the USDA says.
The state's timber industry is estimated to lose around $96 million.
Personal costs could rise into tens of thousands of dollars for those with dead trees on their property.

Droughts in 2023 killed more than 12 million pine trees in Mississippi last year. With many of the trees threatening to demolish power lines and homes, people are scratching their heads about how to pay for their removal.