Martha's Vineyard Beetles | Vineyard Gazette

Pine Beetle-Ravaged Trees Pose Risk in West Chop

Gwyn Skiles | Monday, December 29 2026 - 4:35pm

The trails in the West Chop Woods have been temporarily closed due to concerns that an infestation of beetles has left the trees there too brittle to stand.

The Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation, which owns the 90-acre woods in Vineyard Haven, announced the closure on Dec. 24 after the trees there had been decimated by the invasive southern pine beetle. The nonprofit plans to cut down trees that have been affected, but there is no clear timeline for reopening.

West Chop

Sheriff's Meadow Foundation

Beetles

Pine Beetle-Ravaged Trees Pose Risk in West Chop

Gwyn Skiles

The trails in the West Chop Woods have been temporarily closed due to concerns that an infestation of beetles has left the trees there too brittle

Homeowners Struggle With Pine Beetle Scourge

Gwyn Skiles

The homes of West Chop have been listening to a chorus of chainsaws this fall as the march of the devastating southern pine beetle progresses into residential areas.

Southern Pine Beetles Could Slowly Reshape Island Forests

Gwyn Skiles

The southern pine beetle has devastated parts of some of the Island's forests. Conservation groups are in the early stages of fighting back.

Island Gets Aid in Pine Beetle Battle

Thomas Humphrey

Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation this week received a $75,000 grant from the state to help combat an invasive beetle infestation in the Phillips Preserve forest in Tisbury.

Tree-Wrecking Beetle Found in State Forest

Thomas Humphrey

State conservation officials have made plans to cut down a stand of pest-ridden pine trees in the northwestern section of the Manuel F. Correllus state forest, after finding an infestation of the southern pine beetle earlier this summer.

Pine Beetle Infestation Invades Island Forests

Thomas Humphrey

Rapidly, at a pace of 10 feet per day, an infection of southern pine beetle is spreading in the pitch pine forest at Sheriff’s Meadow’s Phillips Preserve near Lake Tashmoo.