A Healthy Forest

Is No Accident!

What are the Characteristics of a Healthy Forest? Plant Diversity Wildlife Diversity Low Susceptibility to Disease and Insects Low Susceptibility to Catastrophic Wildfires Healthier and faster growing trees

An “Unhealthy Forest” lacks plant and wildlife diversity, has unhealthy slow growing trees that are more susceptible to insect & disease attack, and catastrophic wildfire is more likely.

Forest Management

Benefits of Forest Management are: Healthy trees Healthy forests More plant diversity More wildlife diversity Less Insect and Disease Outbreaks Less chance of catastrophic wildfire Numerous wood products and byproducts: furniture, paper, houses, books, turpentine, cosmetics, shoe polish, cork, detergent, packaging, soaps, cleaners, etc……………..

Without Forest Management: kUnhealthy Forests kUnhealthy Trees kCatastrophic disturbance is more likely: l Wildfire OR Insect and/or Disease Outbreak Loss of property and maybe lives Watershed Water Quality Cost of control Long Term Loss of Forest Revenue Land Value and Tourism kLack of Wildlife and/or Plant Diversity

Recent Significant Catastrophic Disturbances in the Black Hills  Jasper Fire Size: 83,508 acres Start date and time: August 24, 2000, 2:30 p.m. Date and time controlled: September 25, 2000, 6:00 p.m. Suppression costs to date: $8,200,000  Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemic 17,765 acres impacted 38,262 trees killed in ,562 trees killed in ,383 trees killed in ,219 trees killed in ,508 trees killed in 1996

ADULT EGGPUPAE LARVAE LIFE CYCLE OF THE MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE

IN LATE JUNE AND JULY ADULT BEELTES EMERGE FROM INFESTED TREES, TUNNEL THROUGH THE BARK OF NEW TREES, AND LAY SEVERAL EGGS.

Pitch tubes form as the beetles bore into the tree. Sometimes the pitch will expel the beetle (pitching out). Beetles give off an aggregation pheromone (scent) to attract other beetles to the tree. This tree has been overwhelmed by several beetles.

The adult beetles also infect the tree with blue stain fungus. This fungus clogs vascular wood cutting off water and soil nutrients.

Xylem Very small tubes that transfer water and soil nutrients from the root system. Bark Plant protection Phloem, living, cell reproducing area and the vascular system that moves energy nutrients throughout the plant.

Larvae hatch and chew tunnels (galleries) destroying the living cambium layer. Larvae then overwinter in the galleries.

Larvae pupate about mid-May then develop into adult beetles to start a new generation. Pupae Adult

Devastation caused by mountain pine beetle attack

PHEROMONE BAITING WILL CONSOLIDATE (36’RADIUS) BEETLES. THEN CUT AND BURN, DEBARKING, OR CHIPPING TECHNIQUES ARE USED FOR CONTROL LETHAL BAITING IS ANOTHER OPTION.

BA 180

BA 60