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Pine bark beetles show significant gains<br>

Arizona’s ponderosa pine and piñon forests have sustained significant impacts from the bark beetle outbreak of 2003. Conservative estimates in 2002, based upon U. S. Forest Service aerial surveys of federal lands, placed the number of dead ponderosa pine statewide at 2 million. This estimate did not take into account trees that may have died after the 2002 surveys were done between late July and October of last year. The 2003 aerial survey data has not been completely analyzed, but what has, is showing a tenfold increase in the number of dead trees. This is believed to show that there was significant mortality after the 2002 aerial surveys but also that there was widespread damage to Arizona’s forests in 2003.

Determining the exact date of tree mortality from the air can be difficult. Most bark beetle killed ponderosa pine trees will have red foliage for approximately 12 months. Thus, when a red tree is seen from the air it may have died the previous year, after the aerial survey, or it may have died within the current year.

Significant mortality

In the areas for which aerial survey data was analyzed, the Kaibab National Forest appears to have had the largest increase from 2002 to 2003. In 2002 there were 49,125 dead ponderosa but in 2003 that increased to more than 1 million trees. This represents a 20-fold increase. Some of this huge increase can be explained by the early aerial survey date in 2002, indicating that many of these trees died in late 2002. However, ground surveys within the Kaibab N.F. in 2003 proved that there was significant mortality occurring.

The most heavily impacted forest in the state has been the Tonto. In 2002 it endured the most mortality with 495,810 dead trees. In 2003 that increased to 8.1 million dead trees or about a 17-fold increase. The Prescott National Forest also had large amounts of mortality with 4.1 million dead trees appearing in the 2003 survey.

Some of the greatest damage in 2002 occurred on tribal lands of the San Carlos Apache tribe. Since these lands are some of the last to be surveyed every year the final analysis is not yet complete. However, anecdotal information indicates that 2003 mortality levels will be high.

Piñon pine has also sustained large amounts of mortality over the past two years. Early indications from aerial surveys show that the Coconino and the Kaibab National Forests have sustained the greatest damage from bark beetles.

Several trees in the juniper family – true fir, Douglas-fir, and spruce – have also been attacked by bark beetles. Native junipers, native Arizona cypress and Leyland cypress are among those being killed by the cypress bark beetle. Spruce bark beetle activity was reduced in 2003 but mortality in Douglas-fir and true firs doubled from 2002.

Preventative measures

The best way to avoid having trees attacked by bark beetles is to take preventive measures. First and foremost, lower tree density through thinning. The fall and early winter season is the best time of year to thin stands. During other times of the year increases in beetle attacks may occur if the newly cut trees are left on the ground for more that 30 days. By October the last generation is either looking for a host or has already found one. Once they have found a host they will stay there throughout the winter. If logs that are generated through thinning are attacked by the last generation their offspring will not complete their life cycle and will die. If the logs or slash will remain on the forest floor for more than 30 days it is recommended that they be placed in a sunny spot so as to speed up drying.

Logs and slash generated in fall or early winter can be utilized in many ways. The logs can be used for firewood, lumber, beams, as posts and poles and as chips. It is best to creating chip piles and spread those chips in the fall or early winter when they are less attractive to beetles.

The small slash (limbs and tops less than three inches in diameter) can be used by adult beetles but they won’t reproduce in it. This material should be chipped if possible. When piling for burning, put the smallest diameter material in the middle with the largest on the outside. Allow the piles to dry out prior to attempting to burn them. Be sure to consult with your local fire department prior to conducting open burns to assure that you are following local regulations.

Many people are unsure as to which trees should be removed. In these cases it may be best to consult with a certified forester or arborist. For a listing of certified professionals consult the yellow pages, call your local University of Arizona County Extension office, or log on to www.isa-arbor.com to find a certified arborist or www.safnet.org/certified/directory.htm to find a certified forester.

Often property owners will have several trees that have significant value in their landscape. These trees may be valued for their size or location. These high value trees can be given additional care to prevent colonization. They can be sprayed with preventative insecticides or irrigated. However, since the threat from attack is greatly reduced during the fall or early winter it is recommended that spraying of preventative insecticides be delayed until February for the lower elevations or March at the higher elevations. Consult the University of Arizona Forest Health Web site (http://ag.arizona.edu/extension/fh) for information on spraying insecticides to prevent bark beetle attacks.

If natural precipitation is below normal during the fall and winter trees may benefit from irrigation every other month. When irrigating native pine trees, they should be given enough water to wet the soil at least two feet deep. The water should be applied in a donut shaped pattern at the drip-line or outer edge of the trees branches. It generally takes about two inches of rain to soak two feet deep. Check the soil six to eight inches deep just outside the drip-line of the trees monthly. Keep in mind watering restrictions that may be in effect in your community and follow those guidelines as well. (Check with your local office of the Arizona Department of Water Resources for restrictions in your area.)

Applications of fertilizers will not help protect trees from the effects of drought, and will not protect against bark beetle attacks. Fertilizers may even hinder the ability of the trees to fight off bark beetles. As fertilizing often cause trees to put on extra growth, this growth will require higher levels of moisture to maintain healthy conditions. Fertilizers may also burn foliage if improperly applied.

The only known direct control method of infested trees is the removal of the infested trees. A good rule to remember is “If the tree is brown cut it down, if in doubt cut it out.” If dead trees are left standing we run the risk of the new generation of beetles leaving the tree and attacking more trees.


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