Forest health in the vicinity of Green, Watch and Pressey Lakes continues to be a concern with the presence of both Douglas-fir and Spruce beetles. The Elephant Hill Fire created a large host area for the beetle population to increase and expand. The fire contributes to tree stress thus making them vulnerable to attack by beetles resulting in potential death.
Beetle activity is being monitored and dealt with on crown land, of equal importance is the management of the same on private land. Understanding what is happening on your own property with respect to these beetles will go a long way to preserving not only your own trees, but your neighbors as well. Working in harmony as a community combating a beetle epidemic and preserving trees is a common goal, we all strive for. This will help to reduce tree death and help preserve the green trees which we all want and enjoy.
Leaving beetle attacked trees untreated will result in the spread of the beetles to surrounding live trees. To limit damage, it is critical to remove and dispose of beetle attacked trees prior to the next beetle flight in the spring (April – June). In addition, pheromone baiting is a practice that is used and can be very effective in beetle management to help protect trees and properties from attack. These are anti-aggregating pheromones and need to be applied in the spring, prior to flight, to be most effective. (April – early May application). Beetle flights typically start when temperatures reach 16 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days.
Beetle attacked trees can generally be identified by evidence of boring dust (saw dust like material) found near the base of tree to well above eye level. Douglas-fir boring dust is an orangey color while the spruce dust is more of white to very pale yellow color.
Click here to get additional and more detailed information regarding Douglas-fir beetle management and identification.
Synergy Semiochemical, the company that produces the pheromone baits (MCH bubbles) has a sale on currently that runs until Feb. 26th. Questions related to quantity/density for your property, storage, placement, etc would be answered through their website or customer service.
Stay safe, and collectively we all have a role to play in the health of our forests.
David Schwarz, RPF
GLARA Director
