Tiny beetles killing millions of pines (CO)

The Denver Post ^ | 09/13/2005 | Jack Cox

[neverdem]

A home along the shore of Lake Granby is surrounded by lodgepole pines that have been killed by beetles. The infestation is leading to thinning of trees and changing some real-estate pitches from wooded and secluded to stunning views. (Post / RJ Sangosti)

[neverdem]

ping

[EagleUSA]

Not a new threat. During our eight year drought in California, our trees could not get enough water to produce sap adequately and the beetles killed many of them. "Bettle-deads" we call them here.

Shows what a delicate balance there is in nature...

[GSlob]

Bring back DDT.

[b9]

Have you heard of this?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

We're losing oaks here in the Missouri Ozarks because of an oak bore bug. I'm planting pecans, hickories and hazelnuts at the rate of ten every year to take their place on my land. I don't know if Colorado has an alternative like I do.

[xcamel]

No harvest, no clear cuts, then nature will do it... By fire, or by bug, or by both.

[american spirit]

That makes me sick to my stomach.......some of the best times I've had with the family have been hiking around the Grand lake and Estes area. Hope they get this fixed and fast

[Paratrooper]

It's Noah's fault this time and not Bush. He should not have taken the critters on the Ark....

[digger48]

Think of this when buying mulch for your yard.

[Hot Tabasco]

here in S.E. Michigan we are experiencing an infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer which is literally destroying tens of thousands of Ash trees. My route to work covers 17 miles and as I drive, I look around at all the trees that have been infested and it is truly incredible. All these trees will have to be removed by either the respective communities or the home owners.

On the news this morning I heard that the Upper Peninsula of MI has now discovered that Ash trees up there have been infected.

This has become a real serious problem here in Michigan

[Hot Tabasco]

Bring back DDT.

Yep!

[Carry_Okie]

It's not unusual. Fire suppression and carbon dioxide fertilization lead to overstocking that results in water competition. The resulting bettle kills are rampant all over the West.

[chuckles]

I know it sounds strange, but in East Texas we call that "Bug Wood". If you cut it after it's dead and make lumber from it, it is harder than normal pine and has a beautiful blue tint to the grain. I've seen tongue and groove floors that will astound you at the beauty. Most people just burn it or let it rot to the ground, but it is a waste of good lumber. Once infested, it's hard to kill, but spraying by plane or copter works best.

[b9]

Are you concerned for your property?

[Carry_Okie]

Are you concerned for your property?

No; redwood is fairly resistant to beetles. Sudden oak death and botryospheria are the prominent tree pathogens here (both are introduced species). The real biggies here are introduced weeds.

[Kieri]

My sister lost her ash trees to that D(&@# beetle. Our property out by Waterloo Rec doesn't have ash trees...but I wish we could find a bug that would eat autumn olives. Another idiotic idea by the DNR that went sour; they were supposed to be good for natural habitats but now they're classified as a noxious weed.

I know a lot of campers STILL don't understand you should NEVER take firewood out of quarantined areas. Not only could the bugs infest out of state trees (which they already have), but they'll be ticketed and fined.

The Japanese box beetle is no fun either. It eats the leaves off the trees to the point of killing them. My mother's trees were infested with the rotten things until she bought special bags to catch and trap them.

Zebra mussels, purple loosestrife and now the emerald ash borer. Sheesh.

[Hot Tabasco]

FWIW, the myth perpetuated against DDT has been the most destructive lie ever perpetrated on mankind by the Fed. govt. at the hands of the enviro-wacos!

American Spectator

[ABN 505]

Don't forget that at one time Black Walnut trees were the most prolific species in New England and the Eastern Seaboard. 80 feet high with beautiful grained hardwood they were utilised for almost every commercial enterprise. By the late 50's they were all wiped out by an Asian Blight to the point where if you can find a healthy tree today you are lucky. Asian pests seem to be a Death sentence for a lot of our native species.

[neverdem]

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