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BY DON MEEHAN

Tree Blowdowns Increase Insect Populations

With all of the trees blown down this winter from our storms we need to begin facing the whole problem created by this calamity. Obviously if the tree fell onto valuable property, houses and vehicles, the damage is about as severe as it gets without injury to people. An unforeseen problem that we can surely expect to see in those areas where large numbers of trees fell down, i.e., in forestry stands of timber, is one of bark beetle population increases. Many of you have encountered bark beetles when burning firewood. They are the wormlike insect found just beneath the bark of Douglas Fir, even months after it has been cut and stacked for firewood. Why should we worry about a few more bark beetles? Normally this insect is found in low to moderate numbers in the forest stand. They have a valuable role in the forest in helping to degrade fallen timber. However, when populations soar they begin to attack growing trees. According to Dr. Donald Hanley, WSU Extension Forester, landowners need to clean up these fallen trees to minimize the potential damage to the trees still healthy and standing. Special attention needs to be made in those areas already known to be under stress since those trees are less able to defend from attack. Once bark beetles successfully attack a tree it will slowly die over a period of a few years. If you are faced with this problem and need more advise please contact me. For platted areas, owners need to check with the State Department of Natural Resources for proper harvesting permits. Their phone number is 1-800-527-3305 and ask for the Sedro Woolley District office. Don Meehan is on the faculty of Washington State University working in Island County as an Extension Agent. He is located at the WSU Education Center located in the County Government complex in Coupeville. The phone number is 679-7327.

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