How safe is that pine in your backyard?
In light of severe infestations of mountain pine beetle in some parts of Alberta, you might be wondering about the risk to pines in your backyard.
The first thing to do is to find out if you live in one of the infested areas in Alberta. These areas are in the Grande Prairie, Blairmore, Canmore and Bow Valley regions.
If you do not live in an infested area, the likelihood of a mountain pine beetle infestation is considered minimal. Beetle population movements are unpredictable, however, and cannot be entirely ruled out.
Wherever you live in Alberta, a few simple precautions are recommended:
- Look around your yard to see if you have any pine trees at risk. The mountain pine beetle breeds in all species of pines including lodgepole, ponderosa, whitebark and limber. It does not breed in spruce.
- If you don’t know how to tell the difference between pine and spruce, examine the illustrations provided. Pines have long thin needles that are in clumps. Spruce trees have single needles.
- If you have a pine tree, identify whether it is large enough to be at risk. Beetles usually attack mature trees with trunks that are at least 15 centimetres diameter at chest height.
- Be sure to water and fertilize all your pines. Healthy trees can usually defend themselves against a low-intensity beetle invasion.
- If you live in an infested area and are concerned about your pines, or those in your community, contact your local municipality or the 310-BUGS hotline for more information.
Remember: What’s good for your pines is bad for the mountain pine beetle!
To report trees infested with mountain pine beetle or to find out more information about this devastating forest pest, visit the sustainable Resource Development beetle web page at srd.alberta.ca/forests/health/pestalerts/mountainpinebeetles.aspx or call 310-BUGS (2847).
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