Pine bark beetle

[BDR]

Last fall we noticed that many of our pines were turning brown and looked like they were dying. After assesment by a forestry guy, it was determined that the forest is being inffested with some Bark beetle. He did a survey and recommended that 25-30% be cut ASAP. Loggers got in last week and immediatly called to say we need to re survey, they could actually hear the beetles eating trees. After being re surveyed it is now determined that 80% must go now. Bummer. These trees are about 30 years old and just hitting their prime for hunting. We are clearcutting 160 acreas. That wasn't in the plan when it was bought for family hunting use.

Anyone else getting hit by this. I have heard that 100's of thousands of acreas of state and paper company lands need to be clear cut prematurely also.

[PerchJerker]

That blows -- sorry to hear you need to clearcut your pines. I have 40 acres, primarily aspen and balsam fir, or black ash lowlands. Only problem we've had so far is the tent catepillar worms, but they haven't been bad for the last few years (and they don't kill the trees anyway).

[DrKen]

That stinks. I grew up in Montana and the pine bark beetle has been a problem out there for many years. The only effective treatment is to clear cut the infested area. Too bad to hear that it has now extended back here. Good luck.

[Nova]

BDR, what kind of pines are they. My neighbor has about 20 scotch pine and has lost 3 of them to that bettle in a year. I have about 1500 red(norway) pines that we have planted from seedling in the last 9 years and they have not moved to them yet. Some of them are 15' tall. That would be a terrible hit. My only trouble so far is the pocket gophers eating the roots and they tip and die. Is the DNR going to help you replant? I feel bad for you.

[BDR]

I guess I only know them as Jack Pine. The Beetle only attacks Mid aged trees. The young and the old are ok. They do not attack Norway. No help from DNR. I dont blame them. We will make a substantial profit on the Timber since it is getting cut now. That just wasn't in the plan. They said is we wait 1 year the timber would only be good as mulch. It will be field spread back to Jack pine and then we will hand mix in Norway, aspen, and Oak. Possibly a couple food plots also. We want it to grow back as quickly as possible for future. Lots of kids being added into our hunting party.

[koWALLEYEski]

what are some warning signs towards seeing these beetles?

[M.T. Bucket]

There is a take-home message here for those considering planting their land...

There will always be new pests and diseases reaching our shores, and who knows what trees they'll target. I've never been crazy about homogenous plantations for this reason (and a few others). They're too suceptible to this kind of thing. It sounds like you're going to replant your land with a variety of species. That's good, IMO. If something comes along and wipes out one species, you still have a forested lot, just with some new habitat snags.