Mtn Pine Beetle has gone to the suburbs

11/3/10

Since September we at Jones Tree & Lawn, Inc. have found at least 6 locations throughout the Denver metro area with Mountain Pine Beetle infestations. So far the trees infested include mostly Scots and a few Ponderosa pines. MPB fly and attack trees during July and August. Preventative sprays need to be applied late May through early July at the latest. Signs of the insect are pitch blobs or pitch tubes on the tree trunk. Tree with multiple "hits" most likely will have to be removed. It's hard to say what will happen to trees that have a few hits. The usual cycle is after a tree gets infested with beetles, blue stain fungus clogs the vascular system of the tree, cutting off the water supply to the crown. Mean while the beetles breed, multiply and feed under the bark. Eventually the tree dies and the neecles turn red then brown. Along around in July the adult beetles borer out the tree and fly off to new trees to start the process all over.

Prevention is the best control. Spray trees as mentioned above, remove trees that are infested, dispose of the wood properly and DON'T BRING PINE FIREWOOD DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAINS! As is usually the case we are our own worst enemies when is comes to transporting and inadvertantly spreading insects and disease. For questions call us at 303-431-8132

Kevin

http://www.jonestreeandlawn.com/