Forest Pest Information and Treatment Methods
Western Spruce Budworm
Identification: Causes defoliation in conifer trees turning the needles brown and “singed” looking, generally only attacks new needles.
Tree Species at risk: Douglas-fir, Engelmann spruce, blue spruce, white fir, subalpine fir
Treatment: Aerial Spray with BT, silvicultural methods such as thinning.
Timing of Treatment: Spraying is weather dependent and usually occurs in Late June to early July
Application Method: Modern Forest Management, LLC manages the aerial spraying on behalf of the landowner. Annual spraying may be required until desired infestation level is achieved.
Douglas Fir Tussock Moth:
Identification: Causes defoliation in conifer trees turning the needles brown and “singed” looking, trees can be completely defoliated
Tree Species at risk: Douglas-fir, in heavier infestations other surrounding conifers are also at risk
Treatment: Aerial Spray with BT, silvicultural methods such as thinning.
Timing of Treatment: Spraying is weather dependent and usually occurs in late June to early July
Application Method: Modern Forest Management, LLC manages the aerial spraying on behalf of the landowner. Annual spraying may be required until desired infestation level is achieved
Douglas Fir Bark Beetle:
Identification: The first sign of an attack will be reddish orange sawdust in bark crevices and accumulation of sawdust around the stump of a tree.
Tree Species at Risk: Douglas-fir
Treatment: Application of MCH pheromone packet
Timing of Treatment: Hang packets in mid-April
Application Method: For area protection hang packets on unaffected trees in a grid system 40 packets per acre at approximately 33-foot intervals. For individual trees hang 4 packets per tree. Packets are viable for one season.
Mountain Pine Beetle:
Identification: The first sign of an attack will be pitch tubes coming out of the bark of the tree. Sawdust will be evident both on the bark and gathering around the base of the tree.
Tree Species at Risk: Ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, whitebark pine, limber pine, bristlecone pine
Treatment: Application of Verbenone pheromone packet
Timing of Treatment: Hang packets in mid-June
Application Method: For area protection hang Verbenone packets on unaffected trees in a grid system, 30 packets per acre at approximately 40-foot intervals. For individual tree protection attach four packets per tree each facing a different direction. Packets are viable for one season.
Fir Engraver:
Identification: Causes roughened misshapen bark, sporadic dead limbs, and occasionally full tree mortality.
Tree Species at Risk: Grand fir, Subalpine fir, Douglas-fir
Treatments: Silvicultural methods aimed at maintaining forest health, pheromone packets are ineffective against fir engraver
Timing of Treatment: Any time once an infestation has been established can be beneficial.
Application Method: Silvicultural treatments.
