Hi Chris, 

I would agree that the signs you're seeing on your tree look more consistent with pinyon pitch mass borer than turpentine beetle. Before spraying (for either pest), we always recommend to confirm the diagnosis first and there are several possible options to do so:

1. If you find any of the oozing pitches on a smaller branch, you could bring the branch into the Jefferson County Plant Clinic for analysis. Pinyon pitch mass borer damage typically occurs on trunks and large branches though, so this may not be an option. 

2. The larvae of the pinyon pitch mass borer are often found underneath the pitch mass, so you could potentially try and scrape through the ooze and see if you can spot any larvae, but they often burrow several inches deep so this may be difficult to do. 

3. Pinyon pitch mass borers typically emerge from the tree from June to August. You might try and set out sticky traps to trap one, or see if you can find any. At that point, you could send us a photo or bring the insect into our lab for identification.

4. Are you noticing any other damage or symptoms on your tree? Sending photos of anything else you're noticing on the tree might help confirm our suspicions.

Feel free to respond to this or to email me directly at <personal data hidden>. Here is some additional information about the pinyon pitch mass borer, including information about spraying for management, if interested: https://csfs.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/PinonPests_Pitch-Mass-Borer_CSFS_2022.pdf. 

I look forward to hearing back from you,

Hania Oleszak

Horticulture Agent at Jefferson County