Why Are So Many Trees Dying in Colorado?
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On a recent trip on I-70 to evaluate some land for a client, I was confronted with sad but beautiful image of red forests stretching for miles across the hills. The image of a red "evergreen" contrasting against the green scenery is mesmerizing at first until you take a closer look at red death destroying millions of trees in Colorado.
Beetle epidemics across the western United States are becoming more obvious every season with entire landscapes turning red and brown as trees die. In northwest Colorado the beetle epidemics, triggered by extended drought in aging forests, are intensifying at an alarming rate, and there is little that can be done to stop them. Actions can be taken to protect high value areas such as ski areas, developed campgrounds and trees in people’s yards.
Hastening Death: Pine beetles carry a fungus on their body and legs. Once they enter the tree, the fungus multiplies and spreads. This blue stain fungus blocks the transport of water up the tree’s trunk and in combination with girdling by the larvae hastens tree death.
Red is Dead: Tree needles remain green for almost a year after the tree has been killed by beetles. Tree needles turn red or reddish brown eight to ten months after the tree has been attacked by bark beetles. Then the needles falloff leaving a gray skeleton of the tree. The tree eventually falls down.
Infested Trees: In this decade, miles and miles of red, dead trees can be seen. In forests with green trees, beetle activity can be identified by popcorn size “pitch tubes” dotting the bark of trees. There may be a few dead beetles in the pitch tubes, but during an epidemic, most of the beetles are successful in their attack on the tree. Fine sawdust, or frass, may also be seen at the base of the tree trunk.
Fire Potential: The increase in dead and downed timber will increase the risk of wildfire and increase the safety concerns of suppressing those fires. Communities across the West are working to remove these hazardous fuels from populated areas. Efforts are underway in many counties to use the dead trees for biomass generators, wood pellets and lumber.
Beetle epidemics across the western United States are becoming more obvious every season with entire landscapes turning red and brown as trees die. In northwest Colorado the beetle epidemics, triggered by extended drought in aging forests, are intensifying at an alarming rate, and there is little that can be done to stop them. Actions can be taken to protect high value areas such as ski areas, developed campgrounds and trees in people’s yards.
Hastening Death: Pine beetles carry a fungus on their body and legs. Once they enter the tree, the fungus multiplies and spreads. This blue stain fungus blocks the transport of water up the tree’s trunk and in combination with girdling by the larvae hastens tree death.
Red is Dead: Tree needles remain green for almost a year after the tree has been killed by beetles. Tree needles turn red or reddish brown eight to ten months after the tree has been attacked by bark beetles. Then the needles falloff leaving a gray skeleton of the tree. The tree eventually falls down.
Infested Trees: In this decade, miles and miles of red, dead trees can be seen. In forests with green trees, beetle activity can be identified by popcorn size “pitch tubes” dotting the bark of trees. There may be a few dead beetles in the pitch tubes, but during an epidemic, most of the beetles are successful in their attack on the tree. Fine sawdust, or frass, may also be seen at the base of the tree trunk.
Fire Potential: The increase in dead and downed timber will increase the risk of wildfire and increase the safety concerns of suppressing those fires. Communities across the West are working to remove these hazardous fuels from populated areas. Efforts are underway in many counties to use the dead trees for biomass generators, wood pellets and lumber.
PS: I heard about an unconfirmed mountain pine beetle incident in Metro Denver but I can not confirm it at this point. If you have any knowledge of such an event could you post a comment on this blog please and maybe some pictures.
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