Attack of the Killer Pine Beetle!

Sounds like a '50s science fiction flick, but it's not. Unfortunately, what is occurring at epidemic levels from New Mexico into Canada, is now happening in Greeley with over 60 confirmed Mountain Pine Beetle attacks.

In Greeley, the beetle has attacked mostly Scotch Pine, but infestations have also been found in Pinyon, Ponderosa and Bristlecone Pines. Wellington, Windsor, Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont, Boulder and Berthoud have all documented attacks too.

Diagnosis - If you see "pitch-tubes" (see photo above) on any of your pines, you have been attacked. On trees already losing the battle, you may also see needles change from green to a kind of "fading" brown-tinged green. Increased woodpecker and sapsucker feeding activity is another sign.

Treatment Options - Insecticides will not cure trees that are already under attack, but they will help protect trees from being hit. For a list of licensed pesticide applicators visit http://www.greeleyforestry.org/ and use the left column link "Choosing a Tree Service."

Dead Trees - Some trees will be lost. To stem the spread of the beetle, infested trees must be removed. The wood cannot be kept for firewood, woodworking or other uses unless the bark has been removed and disposed of properly.

Summary - Keep your trees healthy with good year-round watering practices and have your trees sprayed with insecticide as a preventative measure. If an attack is successful, you must have the trees removed and disposed of properly by June 1, 2010. Let your neighbors know that bringing infested firewood to Greeley endangers everyone's trees. For information or assistance contact the City's Forestry Division at 339-2405.