Color variations in pine

[Jerry Bruette]

Not sure if I'm posting this in the right forum or not but here goes. What causes the blue or black staining that is seen in pine sometimes? Had a gentleman tell me this week that it has to do with the time of year it was cut, any truth to this?

[Jerry Miner]

"blue stain pine" is the result of pine beetle infestation. The beetle secretes it's waste in the wood, causing a chemical reaction and color change. Some find it more attractive and valuable than unstained pine.

[Danny Hamsley]

Actually, the beetle brings in a fungus that lives on the beetles body in a symbiotic relationship. The beetle lays eggs to raise a brood and innoculates the wood with the fungus. The fungus grows and stains the wood blue.

[Jerry Bruette]

Interesting stuff. Too bad the pine beetle doesn't do for pine what the ambrosia does for maple.

Any idea what would cause a rose colored blush in pine?