Phenolic extractives were shown to occupy the greatest cross-sectional area in bases of lateral branches of Pinus strobus at or within 1–4 years after needle loss. The cross-sectional area of the extractive-containing wood in lateral branches decreased as the branch weathered. Phenolic extractives were absent from most weevil-killed leaders, but present in nearly one-half of the leaders killed by causes other than weeviling and in bases of all dead suppressed coterminals examined.