Is the best option for a "healthy forest" ( now ) to remove as many dying trees that are infested as soon as possible ?
I understand that to help pay for the clean up, it is best to do it promptly to keep the economic value of the dead trees higher.
If the mills and loggers can make money, then the forest clean up will not cost the taxpayers as much money.
The mills and loggers have not had an easy time making money off of pine beetle wood (I think the heavy blue staining that is present in the lumber is OK structurally up to a point).
One of the better plans I have heard is to harvest the trees and make wood pellets for pellet stoves because that wood is going to burn anyhow.
"Best" usually varies by location. I don't pretend expertise.
I understand that to help pay for the clean up, it is best to do it promptly to keep the economic value of the dead trees higher.
This is true of dead trees generally, but I would expect redwood and cedar are exceptions.
If the mills and loggers can make money, then the forest clean up will not cost the taxpayers as much money.
The sad part is that loggers are now few and far between. It may have something to do with being unemployed six months a year due to regulations.