South Australia’s $3 billion forestry industry says a pest that kills pine trees and is spread by humans needs to be eradicated. Giant pine scale was found in pine trees in the north-eastern Adelaide suburbs of Hope Valley and Highbury in 2023. The pest sucks the sap of pine trees, causing branch dieback and eventually killing the tree. … The state government said nearly 1,400 trees had been cleared, with more trees set to be felled this year after further outbreaks at the reservoir and the Highbury Aqueduct Reserve. Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven said so far, the outbreak had been contained to the north-eastern suburbs. …South Australia’s forestry industry includes estates around the outskirts of Adelaide and in the state’s south-east. The state produces 35 per cent of Australia’s structural timber for housing.