Forest Health and Safety Project
This web page contains information about the spruce bark beetle and related forestry topics. It is made possible by funding from the City of Homer and the U.S. Forest Service.
Select from the following menu, just click or scroll:
Forest Health and Safety Project
Spruce Bark Beetle Control Options
Frequently Asked Questions About the Spruce Bark Beetle
Impact of Beetle Infested Forest on Wildlife
Spruce Bark Beetle and Fire Hazard
Defensible Space and Fire Resistant Landscaping
Transplanting Trees and Seedlings
Diagnosing Tree Health Problems
Forestry Resources and Related Kenai Peninsula Businesses
Forest Health and Safety Project:
In the spring of 1996, Alaska foresters from State and Federal agencies met in Anchorage to plan a strategy for allocating program dollars toward work on the spruce bark beetle infestation. One suggestion was to fund a project in an Alaskan municipality to serve as a model for local action directed at issues of the beetle infestation.
Foresters considered Homer a viable choice since the community is on the beetle infestation front. At the conclusion of meetings between the City, State and Federal foresters, a project was designed to create a model program that could be adopted by other communities in understanding and responding to the forest health and safety issues of bark beetle infestation. The project goals were to improve public awareness of the issues and to increase public safety by encouraging appropriate land stewardship interventions.
The Incident Command System was chosen as a frame work for project organization. The foresters recommended broad objectives through their role as the Multi-agency Coordinating (MAC) group.
Points to consider from the MAC group included:
Homer Volunteer Fire Department Chief Robert Purcell directed the projects as incident commander, and provided the project with an office at the Homer Volunteer Fire Department. Terry Anderson was hired as the project coordinator, and directed the operations, logistics and documentation functions. A local advisory board was appointed, which assumed the role of the planning section. The finance function for the project was the City of Homer. The City paid bills generated by this project, and forwarded them to the U.S. Forest Service for reimbursement. The grant was funded for $ 34,000.
The Forest Health and Safety Project officially began December 1, 1996, and was funded for a period of one year.
Community Advisory Members
The Community Advisory Members (CAM) was comprised of community members involved with various aspects of the spruce bark beetle infestation. A broad spectrum of people living in the vicinity who had expertise in forestry issues were asked to contribute ideas and direction. The six members of the committee attended monthly meetings held at the Homer Volunteer Fire Department. Members of the advisory group met initially in mid-December.
Members include:
Steve Gibson, owner of Small Potatoes Lumber Company
Daisy Lee Bitter, naturalist, homesteader, author
Sylvia Cassidy, environmental lawyer, Homer City Council member
Don Yeck, owner of Yeck & Sons Logging Company
Steve Steelye, employee of Homer Electric Association, Kachemak City Advisory Board
Willie Condon, owner of Alaskan Tree Service
The CAM gave broad recommendations of programs to explore. From these recommendations, a number of projects were selected for the grant, including:
I. Public Education
A. Landscape in Transition
A partnership with the Pratt Museum in Homer was formed to plan, direct and help finance a series of forums and workshops on the bark beetle. The museum was in the preliminary stage of planning for a program to fulfill their 'Forest Ecology' grant.
By partnering with the Pratt, a wide range of interests and resources were available for development, and costs were shared. The forums and workshops were community planned and directed; invitations to guest speakers were negotiated between both organizations.
It was decided to hold three forums, each with an underlying theme about the beetle infestation. The forums were held at Land's End Resort, in a 200-seat conference room above Kachemak Bay. From the large bay windows, the results of the beetle infestation were visually apparent. Coffee and tea was provided.
The forums consisted of six or more panelists, delivering 12 to 15 minute presentations. After intermission, the audience was invited to ask questions, directed to the panelist of choice. Panel members invited to speak at the forums included independent researchers, scientists, policy makers, public land managers, firefighters, the forest products industry, and conservationists. The forums ran from 7:00 to 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights.
The objective of the forums was to provide the public with as much information as possible on the various bark beetle themes. Sign-up sheets were available for the public to participate with related group activities (Tree Coalition, Global ReLeaf, Community Tree Stewards). Pamphlets generated by this project and from participating panelists were available to the public. Pictures of the infestation and exhibits of equipment were also on display.
The high level of attendance and participation by the public was credited to the level of personal interest in the subject matter, as well as the advertising promotion about the forums. Newspaper advertisements, posters, radio interviews, and public service announcements were used to deliver the message. Homer has an effective local media and good distribution. Members of the media, local government representatives, and forestry business interests were among those in the audience who asked questions and provided candid comments about the issues.
It was decided to hire a local moderator to introduce panelists, keep track of speaking times, and keep the session moving in an informative direction. Filming the events on VHS format was produced for documentation purposes and was made available to the public.
"Spruce Bark Beetle, Where do we Stand?", February 12, 1997
This forum defined the current infestation in the Kachemak Bay area and around the state. The following subjects were discussed by the panelists:
This first forum was attended by 150 people. Many questions from the audience regarded the biology of the beetle, fire related questions including the effects of bark beetles and fire spread. The session lasted 3 hours, including the question and answer period.
"Logging In An Infested Forest", March 19, 1997
Most of the land around the Kachemak Bay community is privately owned. The spruce bark beetle infestation has accelerated the level of logging practices in the area. The Homer Spit is the staging area for exporting logs and log chips to distant markets. There are an increasing number of small sawmill operations in the South Peninsula as well as an increasing number of larger commercial operators.
Although the Homer community is divided on the issue of logging public lands, much work is currently in progress to remove the dead and dying trees on private land. The panelists spoke on the current practices and issues of logging.
Guest speakers who made presentations include:
Steve Albert, wildlife biologist, Alaska Division of Fish & Game, Anchorage
Steve Gibson,owner/operator, Small Potatoes Lumber Company, Homer
Dean Kvasnikoff,chief of logging operations, Ninilchik Native Association
Terry Nininger, manager, Circle DE Pacific Corporation, Anchorage
Al Peterson, forester, Alaska Division of Forestry, Soldotna
Debbie Rutzeback, owner/operator Band Saw Mill, Homer
Jay Stange, activist, Alaska Center for the Environment, Anchorage
Larry Smith, member, Forest Practices Act Steering Committee, Homer
Topics discussed by the panelists included:
This forum produced diverse opinions on issues of logging. The debate lasted four hours, until 11 p.m. Every seat (200) in the conference room was occupied.
"Preparing for the Beetle Flight", April 9, 1997
This final forum was presented three weeks later. The focus in this forum was intervention steps the landowner could consider in preparing for next month's beetle flight. Spraying pesticides on trees was a large issue; we invited the Center for the Environment and Cooperative Extension Service to assist in this area. For the fire risk presentation, Homer Volunteer Fire Department Chief Purcell gave a report on the increasing threat of large wildfires in the community. Regeneration of infested areas was presented, as were legislative issues pertaining to forestry.
Panelists included:
Roger Burnside,entomologist, Alaska Division of Forestry, Anchorage
Karen Button, activist, Alaska Center for the Environment, Anchorage
Michael Fastabend, integrated pest management, AK Cooperative Extension, Anchorage
Robert Purcell, chief, Homer Volunteer Fire Department, Homer
Marty Welbourn,deputy director, Alaska Division of Forestry, Anchorage
Tricia Wertz, botanist, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
Topics that were discussed by the panelists included:
This forum was attended by 125 people.
B. The Workshops
1. Pesticide Spraying
Many homeowners showed an interest in using pesticide on their trees to stop the beetle from entering spruce. According to forestry officials, Carbaryl has a 99% efficiency rating against beetles for 24 months after spraying. In April, an outdoor pesticide spraying workshop was held at the Pratt Museum.
The Museum nature trail, in downtown Homer, was chosen as the site to demonstrate the effects of beetle spread in mature white spruce. This old-growth stand currently displays all stages of beetle infestation. Twenty-five people attended this outdoor workshop. Michael Fastabend led a two-hour tour through the nature trail and described the life cycle of bark beetles. He pointed out those trees most vulnerable to attack, the attack signs of the beetle, and how they move through the forest. He also demonstrated the importance of safe practices when mixing chemicals and using personal protection when handling and spraying the product.
2. Fire Safe Landscaping
In May, Sharon Kilbourn-Roesch, Alaska Division of Forestry Prevention Officer, presented a workshop to homeowners on how to improve the chances of surviving a wildfire, and possibly saving their home. This project was coordinated through the Homer Fire Department with staff and volunteers assisting in the presentation.
Both the drought and spruce bark beetle infestation are changing the landscape; firefighters are concerned that changing conditions make it likely for fire to spread rapidly in the trees. Most of the public concern focused on steps to improve their particular site, and procedures for evacuation should a large fire occur.
A sign-up sheet was available for the audience to request on-site inspection of their property. The volunteer members of the Homer Fire Department were organized to assist in these home visits.
3. Arbor Day Tree Sale
The Kenai Peninsula Chapter of Global ReLeaf has been active in the Homer area since 1994. Because of publicity on the bark beetle project, Global ReLeaf agreed to accept orders of specified tree saplings for sale at all of the forums. There were over 30 orders received before the May 17th tree sale. There were approximately 1,000 trees available during the actual sale; it is estimated that twice that number would have sold. Several species of tree were not available at the sale, due to the pre-order process, which caused frustration for several people who came early to the sale. Because of the shortage of trees, several changes in the program were recommended to the Soldotna chapter, including:
The Landscape in Transition forums and workshops were successful because of the commitment of all partners involved. Whenever support from the MAC group was requested, it was provided. By partnering time and costs, a large savings was recognized. Comments from the public about the quality of the program were very favorable.
C. Public Service Radio Announcements
KBBI public radio was approached to provide a series of public service announcements on the bark beetle infestation. The radio spots were two to three minutes in length, and focused on the biology of the bark beetle, its effects on the local community, and forest stewardship practices for homeowners.
The series of programs was taped in November of 1997 at the KBBI studios.
D. Establishment of Bark Beetle Reference Materials at the Homer Public Library
During the course of the Forest Health and Safety Project, many resource books were contributed by the MAC group and others. These books were given to the Homer Public Library at the end of the project, to be included in their card catalog system. The VHS tapes made of the Landscape in Transition forums were also donated.
E. Public Mailing
Two brochures on the spruce bark beetle infestation were produced and mailed to the general public during the year.
The Wildfire Alert brochure described the immediate fire danger presenting itself to the area in May, 1997. As the fire danger reached red flag conditions, this brochure was developed to reinforce the prevention message, and described ways to prepare for an evacuation. The brochure was sent to over 3,000 people in the Homer vicinity.
The second informational mailing occurred at the conclusion of the project. This listed the forest health and safety components of the project, a description of the web page, ongoing programs related to the beetle infestation, upcoming events, and agency contacts.
F. Community Tree Stewards
Community Tree Stewards is a new program offering comprehensive training in planting and caring for trees and shrubs in communities. Sponsored by Urban and Community Forestry and the Alaska Cooperative Extension, the 30-hour program was patterned after the Master Gardener Program.
Because of this forestry project and the development work with the Community Forestry Program, the Alaska Division of Forestry decided to present the program in Homer, consisting of six daytime sessions to be provided over a three-week period during the spring. Patricia Joyner, Alaska Division of Forestry, organized the program and attended all of the sessions.
The Tree Steward course was promoted at the forestry forums, and a sign-up sheet was circulated for the public. There was interest in the community for such a class; however, since the instructors were from Anchorage, they were only available to teach during daytime hours. This posed a conflict in scheduling for local residents. The classes were held during late April and early May, and were attended by eight students.
The Tree Stewards met their graduation requirement of 30 hours of community service by giving assistance to the City of Homer. Working with Homer Public Works Department, and in conjunction with the Community Forestry Program, Tree Stewards planted trees in public parks and roadways.
II. Community Forestry Program
The Project Coordinator approached the City with a proposal for an Urban and Community Forestry Program grant designed to care for trees on city owned lands. The City Parks and Recreation Department Chairperson agreed to put the proposal before the Parks and Recreation Commission. The City would be eligible to receive a matching grant from the State to partner efforts made to remove dying spruce trees, treat trees with pesticides, and plant new trees and shrubs.
The working contact for the Urban and Community Forestry Program was the Homer Public Works Department. They sponsored a grant proposal to Urban and Community Forestry. In March and April, 1997, the Forest Health and Safety Project Coordinator gave a presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission and to the City Council to explain the urban forestry program and request support. There was unanimous consent that this was a good program, and would help the City in the long run with a minimum tax-dollar investment. On April 8, 1997, the Community Forestry Program was presented formally to the Homer City Council as memorandum 97-52. After discussion, the City Council voted 6-0 in favor of allocating matching funds.
Homer is the first Alaskan town to include community forest management in its budget. Volunteers have been successful in getting local officials, city employees, and the public to think about the need to manage their community forest resources, in part by performing visible tree care and planting projects. More people are beginning to recognize the need to increase species diversity, replace trees being lost to development and spruce bark beetles, and to provide more care for public trees and shrubs. In the coming year, as more mature spruce trees in town die from bark beetles, the benefits of community forest management will become even more visible.
A. Planting
The Homer Tree Coalition, a volunteer group from the Homer area, was formed to help offset the costs of labor to plant trees. A list of names was forwarded to Parks and Recreation, and to the Public Works Department to help facilitate this program. The City documented 272 hours of volunteer time; 113 trees and shrubs were planted at six separate sites.
B. Removing Dead Trees
In the summer of 1997, the Public Works Department removed 12 old-growth, mature spruce with significant needle loss from city properties. This was accomplished after an inventory was completed. Because of the lack of appropriate equipment, these services were contracted to private business. It is expected that the number of hazard trees throughout the city will increase in the next few years.
C. Spraying
Spraying pesticides on the bark of spruce trees created an ecological dilemma for many people in the Kachemak Bay area. Because Carbaryl is widely used in the agriculture business, and considered benign to incidental exposure, many people decided to spray their trees prior to the coming beetle flight. All of the governmental forestry agencies supported using pesticides on the bark of spruce. The Alaska Center for the Environment discouraged any use.
The spraying of pesticides on spruce trees in the Homer area was mostly limited to the individual landowners' do-it-yourself approach; i.e., purchasing the pesticide at a local nursery, mixing into a spray formula, using a pump sprayer, using ladders, and exposure safety while using the product.
In past years commercial applicators drove to Homer from Anchorage to spray trees, but scheduling and product availability seemed to be a problem. In early spring there was no commercial pesticide business in Homer, though the need for a local resource was clearly evident.
Due to the high level of information sharing and visible public access to the Forest Health and Safety Project, one resident decided to pursue spraying on a commercial basis. Marge and Will Tillion, Tillion Enterprises, attended a commercial pesticide applicator course given by the Alaska Cooperative Extension. They invested in a commercial pesticide application system and in May began spraying trees for homeowners in the Homer area.
Because of the early tourist season and a high demand for use of parks, any decision to spray on City lands was postponed until the spring of '98. Although more trees may succumb to the beetle, it was decided to wait until after tourist season to meet all of the objectives set forth in the spraying program. These objectives include:
III. Homer Demonstration Forest Arboretum
Inspired by the Urban and Community Forestry grant, members of the Demonstration Forest Steering Committee (a previously existing group) decided to pursue the construction of an arboretum to demonstrate types of trees that could grow in this maritime/interior transitional forest.
The arboretum will be demonstrated at the Homer Demonstration Forest, located on Baycrest Hill just outside the Homer City limits. The 350 acre parcel is owned by Alaska Division of Forestry, with management direction given to the Homer Soil and Water Conservation District.
The arboretum will be constructed on less than one-half acre of cleared ground. Standing dead spruce trees present on the site will be used to make fence posts, using a mobile dimensional sawmill also on site. The arboretum will be surrounded by wide-mesh wire fencing to provide protection from animal browsers. The intent of the project is to demonstrate the various types of trees that could be grown in our transitional forest.
There is pledged support for educational volunteer work from Homer high school students with community service graduation requirements. The high school project leader is Dave Brann, a retired teacher and member of the Demonstration Forest Steering Committee. In addition, many of the Demonstration Forest steering committee members have pledged their time to clear the land and help cut fence posts.
The Forest Health and Safety Project advisory board voted to partially fund the purchase of trees, fencing, and equipment costs in order to help demonstrate local tree species diversity.
IV. Forest Safety
A. Wildland Fire Threat
The winter of 1996-97 saw less than half of the normal snowfall in the Kachemak Bay area. This low amount of snow cover was cumulative from previous dry years, and presents the area with serious drought conditions. The drought, subsequent tree mortality by the bark beetles, poor conditions of both primary and secondary roads, and the growing population all increase the likelihood of a wildfire burning through the community.
Several projects relating to fire preparedness, prevention, and training were coordinated by the Forest Health and Safety project with local firefighting agencies. Much work is needed in this area to challenge the continuous threat of wildfire.
1. Preparedness
The Division of Forestry and the City of Homer have worked together on strengthening firefighting efforts. Projects of partnership include: the development of a statewide training project on firefighting in the wildland urban interface, participation in the rural community fire protection program, and cooperative agreements on fire protection. These agreements contribute to a partnership in fire protection, defines reimbursement costs and provides for wholesale equipment purchasing of fire equipment.
The Homer Volunteer Fire Department completed an equipment upgrade of wildland fire equipment in the spring of 1997. A legislative grant provided for new wildland firefighting pumps, tanks, hose, and personal protection equipment for the Fire Department. The City has 25 volunteer firefighters and four paid staff members. With the equipment upgrade, there are now three wildland slip-on firefighting systems that can be bolted to pick-up trucks. These smaller wildland engines will compliment the City's large water tenders.
On August 18, State House Representative Gail Phillips convened a 'spruce bark beetle' meeting, held in Kachemak City, to update current information about the fire problems brought on by the beetle. Representatives from state, federal and local agencies attended. The meeting addressed three key items needed to prepare for the suppression of wildfire. These needs are:
2. Prevention
A wildfire prevention brochure, "Wildfire Alert '97", was produced and mailed to over 3,000 box holders in the Homer area. Two public meetings were held (Homer and McNeil Canyon/East End Road) to discuss the importance of the prevention of wildfire, preparedness for wildfire, and the response and/or evacuation process should an interface fire occur.
The defensible space workshops and Smoky Bear visits have been an effective tool in the past and should be continued to assist in the fire prevention message.
The City of Homer adopted the Forestry burn permit program four years ago. It continues to be an effective method to educate both the general public and commercial operators in the practice and monitoring of safe burning. Homer Fire Department officials favor expanding the current State burn program to:
3. Training
There are a limited number of wildland firefighters available to the area from the State and local fire department. When a wildfire occurs, both agencies work together to fight the fire. Although firefighters now use a common fire training course, additional fire training needs to occur, with both agencies practicing drills together. Drills should be conducted early each spring, and repeated frequently during the wildland fire season. Improvements to firefighter training for both fire agencies can occur with:
When the infested forest dies and trees become brittle, high winds and the natural rotting process cause the timber to fall. These 'hazard' trees can cause damage to structures, the public and can lead to electrical interruption when they come in contact with power lines.
After the trees die, the resiliency of the trees is compromised. Between three to five years after the needles fall off, spruce trees will often snap, due to the action of high winds. Most large, mature spruce will fall. There is a one in four chance that local trees will land on a power line. There have been seven houses damaged in the Kachemak Bay area in the past year due to hazard trees falling onto structures.
Green trees with full, live branches are more susceptible to catching the wind. Green trees, when they fall, usually uproot and the weight of the tree will bring power lines to the ground, tripping breakers and interrupting the power supply. Green trees are more susceptible to wind throw after the surrounding forest is thinned of dead trees.
Dead trees do not catch the wind as readily as green trees, but are likely to fall within three to five years after beetle attack. Dead trees tend to snap, at approximately 1/3 their height from the base. If they fall on a power line, these trees do not always break the lines, due to their lighter structure and weight. Extreme danger to the public exists when dead trees lean against power lines since the tree may be charged with electricity.
1. Fuel Reduction Plan
With the tremendous amount of dead timber and hazard trees on the South Peninsula, a timber removal plan for utility corridors and public highways is needed. The involved agencies of the state and borough, the utility companies, private businesses and landowners are all stakeholders in this safety process. For most affected areas, 1998 should be the beginning of efforts to remove dead trees. In order to work together, several components of a fuels clearing plan must be coordinated. Those efforts may include the following:The number of hazard trees along the roads and power lines exceeds the capabilities of the current hazard tree removal policy of the utility and highway department.
2. Hazard Tree Liability
According to legal professionals and insurance adjusters, homeowners have a duty to take reasonable precautions to prevent harm to others from the destruction caused by privately owned hazard trees. The trespass of a tree falling onto a neighbor's property which causes structural damage is considered an unauthorized entry. Most legal cases on this issue argue that liability occurs if the tree owner was aware that there was a hazard tree that could endanger the adjoining property.
If you are aware of a tree in danger of becoming an unstable, hazard tree, you are responsible to exercise due care to prevent danger to adjoining property. Most homeowner insurance policies cover the peril of wind blown trees that result in damage.
C. Smoke Management
The quality of air is a growing concern to residents in the Southern Kenai Peninsula. The slash burning practices of all logging projects can put a tremendous amount of particulate into the air. In the winter of 1996, significant burning around the North Fork Road/Anchor Point area caused many residents to complain of poor air quality to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). A meeting was held with the DEC, Alaska Division of Forestry, and community members. It was decided that a commercial regulatory burn permit program would be implemented for projects over 40 acres, in order to limit the impact of slash-burning smoke on the public welfare. There is currently no restriction for smaller sized projects during the winter months.
Smoke is a by-product of all logging activities. Air quality in the area is expected to decrease as hazard tree removal increases.
Educating the public and commercial operators to burn slash on 'good smoke dispersal' days is one (partial) solution to the growing number of burning projects. Year round burn permits, and the ability to close the burn permit periods due to poor air conditions is another element of smoke management.
Commercial wood chipping machines that grind up slash is another option that some landowners are using on small projects. These services are available in Homer. The landfill in Homer accepts small amounts of slash, free of charge. A fee is charged for larger amounts of slash. The landfill stacks the slash for burning.
V. Documentation
A. Bark Beetle Web Page
A web page covering subjects related to forest health and the spruce bark beetle was attached to the City of Homer's Internet home page as part of this project. The address is: http://www.xyz.net/~clerk/. The web page includes information about the following subjects:
B. Forest Health and Safety Project
The Forest Health and Safety project reflects the process of community efforts while in the midst of the largest recorded spruce beetle infestation in North America. This community-based education program operated throughout 1997 and addressed issues and programs associated with the infestation. It is hoped that other communities will be able to use this process as a model for their efforts.
The project was focused on developing public education and awareness of the insect infestation. Many residents have changed their perception of the forest as they watch the wave of infestation move through the community. For many, the transition of the forest is a personal transition in how they feel about the forest. Conservationists consider the use of pesticides in attempts to save their live trees. Environmentalists take up chain saws. Logging alliances grant funds to finance educational exhibits. Infestations of this magnitude change the landscape while changing us.
The spruce bark beetle is a naturally occurring pest that grows to epidemic proportions in Alaska every century. Past infestations probably looked identical to this one. The difference in this infestation is that we are here to witness it. Almost everyone agrees that a transitional forest presents certain safety risks that require action. There are hazard trees that threaten community improvements (primary roads, subdivision roads, power lines, structures). The community is at risk of catastrophic wildland fires. The solutions to these safety risks lie in our commitment to public safety. This should not be compromised.
How can we restore the health of the forest? This project attempted to foster the education process to better understand what the infestation is showing us. Forestry health is a subjective concept. What is healthy here appears to be a forest in transition. Within the life cycle of a forest lies the dying process. From the falling of dead trees comes an emerging view.
The document is provided to the City of Homer, U.S. Forest Service, Alaska Division of Forestry, Alaska Cooperation Extension Service, Forest Health and Safety Board Members, and the Alaska State Legislature.
Terry Anderson,To return to the menu click here: Menu.
Spruce Bark Beetle Control Options
Spruce beetles are always present in spruce forests, and it is only when an abundance of breeding material is available to them, along with favorable weather conditions, that they increase to epidemic numbers. Spruce beetles prefer to attack, and can kill, large diameter spruce. These trees are often valued ornamentals. Other trees such as aspen, birch and hemlock are not attacked by spruce beetles.
Suggestions for reducing the possibility of spruce beetle infestation.
Tree has green needles. There will be no visible rust-colored boring dust on bark, in bark crevices, especially at eye-level and below, or on the ground. No rust-covered, opaque globules of pitch mixed with boring dust on bark, especially at eye-level or below.
Control options:1. Fertilize and water each individual tree early in the season to encourage vigor. A fertilizer high in phosphorous such as 8-32-16 may help in root production which in turn helps the tree in water and nutrient uptake. An application of one pound of fertilizer per inch of tree diameter is suggested. Incorporate fertilizer into root zone area and water well.
2. Prune the lower branches on full-crowned trees; no more than one-third of the total tree height should be removed. Based on Forest Service research findings, removing these lower branches may be an effective step in reducing the possibility of spruce beetle attack. Pruning should be done in the fall, and the branches should be removed from the area and disposed of.
3. Spray the tree with an insecticide registered for use on spruce trees to prevent spruce beetle attacks. This should be done in spring before the end of May in order to protect the tree prior to the beetle's emergence and flight. Currently three chemicals are registered for preventative use against spruce beetles: carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, or lindane. Follow all label directions when using any pesticide.
4. All recent wind-thrown trees should be removed from the area prior to mid-May. They should be debarked or split immediately for firewood to encourage drying of the phloem tissue beneath the bark, therefore discouraging the beetles from attacking the material. Seriously damaged trees should be either removed or sprayed as previously described. Stumps should not be left above ground, or if so, should be debarked down to 2 inches below the soil surface.
For home or lot owners with many trees:
If tree is attacked: 4 stages
A. Tree attacked this season:Tree has green needles. Reddish-brown boring dust is present on bark, in bark crevices, especially at eye-level and below, or on the ground. Reddish-brown, opaque globules of pitch and boring dust present on bark, especially at eye-level and below. Woodpecker activity may be present.
Control options:1. Recently attacked trees can become next spring's infestation source, so it is important to determine the degree of attack. One or two beetle attacks don't necessarily mean the tree will die; however, it is important to realize that you may not notice all the attacks, and that there is a good chance that the tree will be attacked again, successfully, next season.
2. A heavily attacked tree should be removed during the coming fall, or before May of the following spring to avoid infestation of surrounding trees. The tree should be debarked or fire-scorched immediately upon felling to destroy the beetles and larvae within. Scorched wood may then be used as firewood since it is not fully burned. Stumps should not extend above ground, and if so, should be debarked down to 2 inches below the soil surface. Heavily attacked trees which are removed in the fall following new attacks may also be split for firewood and allowed to dry out over the winter. This may prevent the young, newly hatched larvae from developing into adult beetles.
B. Tree attacked last season:Tree has faded yellow or bright red needles. Evidence of previous beetle attacks as described above. Beetle larvae, pupae, and/or adults present under bark. Woodpecker activity may be present.
Control options:1. Trees that were attacked last season are the sources for attacking beetles this season and the next. Because of the beetle's one or two year life cycle, these infested trees are important to identify since they contain the new generation of beetles which are ready to emerge and attack new trees. Determine if beetles are present by removing a section of bark near the lower portion of the trunk.
2. Remove the infested tree prior to the upcoming May and debark or fire-scorch the material immediately on felling. This will prevent the beetles from emerging and attacking surrounding trees by killing any adults and larvae within the material. The wood may then be split and used for firewood.
C. Tree attacked last season or before:No needles remaining on twigs. Tree appears reddish-brown in overall color. Evidence of previous beetle attacks and emergence holes. No beetle larvae present, though some adult beetles may be present under bark. Woodpecker activity may be present.
Control options:1. Usually only adult beetles remain under the loose bark, and these will be ready to emerge and find new host trees as soon as mid-May or early June. Determine if beetles are still present by removing a section of bark from the lower portion of the trunk and examining the underside. If no beetles are under the bark, see next stage.
2. Remove the infested tree prior to the upcoming spring and debark or fire-scorch the material immediately on felling. This will prevent the remaining adult beetles from emerging and attacking surrounding trees. The wood may then be split and used for firewood.
D. Tree attacked 3 or more seasons ago:No needles and no twigs remaining; tree is silver-gray. Loose bark with evidence of previous beetle activity on the underside. No live beetles present.
Control options:1. This dead tree will have no spruce beetles remaining under the bark. Other beetles and larvae may be observed, but they are of little concern as they are beneficial wood decomposers, and not "tree killers." Cut the tree down to use as firewood.
2. Leave the tree standing to serve as wildlife habitat. The tree should be removed if it is unstable or endangering persons or property.
To return to the menu click here: Menu.E-mail your questions about bark beetles to: rogerb@dnr.state.ak.us/
Roger Burnside, Forest Entomologist, Alaska Division of Forestry
Q. When will the spruce beetles emerge in the spring?
Adult spruce beetles (Dendroctonus rufipennis) emerge when ambient air temperatures around the tree are a constant 59 degrees F or higher. To ensure constant temperatures, soils must be thawed and daily highs must generally be in the low 60's for several days to initiate a mass dispersal flight of newly emergent adults. For example, these conditions occurred during the week of May 6, 1996 in the Homer area and beetles flew as early as May 9 by some reports. In Anchorage, the spruce beetle flight started around the week of June 1. On average, the spruce beetle flight starts around the third week of May on the Kenai Peninsula. However, the 1996 beetle flight was 2 to 3 weeks early in most areas compared to the previous 5 to 10 year averages.
Spruce beetles are not strong fliers and will typically fly only short distances (100 to 300 feet) in almost still wind conditions (less than 2 to 3 mph). Experimental tests conducted in wind tunnels have estimated sustained flight computed up to 7 or more miles for new adults. The adult female beetle has limited fat reserves to sustain these distances and still survive to initiate an attack, mate, and lay eggs. It is more realistic to say that the beetle will fly only under the most optimal conditions of low wind and higher temperatures and in those cases will probably fly relatively short distances if susceptible hosts are nearby.
Q. What is the life cycle of the beetle - how does it kill trees?
The complete spruce beetle life cycle, from egg to new adult, averages 2 years. This cycle may be shorter (1 year), or longer (3 years) depending on climatic conditions during the larval stages; larvae grow through 5 instars, basically characterized by different sizes. Mature larvae are approximately as large as new adults, about inch. Egg stage is up to 10 days; the larval stage can be as long as 22 to 25 months, or as short as 12 to 15 weeks, depending on environmental conditions.
White spruce (Picea glauca) is the preferred host. However, Sitka spruce (P. sitchensis) and Lutz spruce (P. lutzii, the white-sitka spruce hybrid) are also attacked. Rarely is black spruce (P. mariana) attacked. Host preference studies have demonstrated that the most beetle brood is produced in white spruce and the least numbers of brood are produced in Sitka spruce. Brood numbers in Lutz spruce fell between white and Sitka spruce numbers. Since beetles attack living, growing trees, brood production is likely affected by the particular mix of host compounds which are produced by each tree species.
Spruce beetles must over winter at least 1 winter as an adult to become sexually mature, thus a single generation cannot complete its life cycle and attack again the same growing season. The pioneer females locate a susceptible spruce during the dispersal flight period (mid-May to mid-August), bore approximately inch into the soft inner (reddish) bark, and begin to construct a tunnel, or egg gallery, longitudinally. An attractant chemical (pheromone) signal is given and this attracts additional females and males to the tree. A single male mates with the pioneer female beetle in the gallery and the adult pair completes the egg gallery (up to 7 inches long under the bark). Up to 80 eggs are laid along the sides of the gallery, which hatch in 1 to 2 weeks. Larvae initially feed outward from the gallery on the soft cambium for the first few larval instars, then feed indiscriminately in later instars and the symmetry of the larval mines are destroyed.
Spruce beetles kill the trees by larval feeding and destruction of the cambial layers which are the nutrient transport vessels of the tree. Trees can be full of attacking beetles/larvae and still remain green for an entire season since the tree will retain some nutrients through un attached vessels for a period of time. When the nutrient reserves are depleted, and cambium destroyed, usually 12 to 15 months after initial beetle attack, needles turn yellow and red, drop, and the tree dies.
Once a critical density of pioneer beetles is reached in the lower bole of the trees during the spring "attack" phase, both male and female beetles produce an anti-attractant (anti-aggregant) pheromone compound called "MCH (methylcyclohexenone). The MCH serves to communicate to other pioneer beetles that "this tree is full; go away"; the anti-aggregant pheromone serves to distribute beetles efficiently among susceptible trees and prevents intra specific competition for food and nutrients for the new beetle brood.
One-year life cycle beetles complete the larval stage during the first attack season, pupate to a cream-colored "resting stage" life form which resemble the adult beetle in most respects, and transform to adults prior to the advance of winter. Depending on when the adult stage transforms, these "new adults" may either over winter in place, or bore out and crawl to the base of the tree where they bore into the tree base and burrow at or near soil line and down near the basal roots just under the bark. This adaptation serves to decrease over wintering mortality and also probably serves to ensure that emergent beetles are in single populations to attack trees "en masse" during the spring dispersal flight.
Two-year cycle beetles over winter as larvae the first winter and as pupae or adults going into the 2nd winter after attack. For example, if you find late instar larvae in slash material or logs late in the fall or in this material during early to late spring, you can be assured that these beetles are two-year life cycle beetles.
Q. How long will the current beetle infestation last?
The current Kenai Peninsula outbreak was first reported during the summer 1989 aerial surveys by federal and state entomologists. The first aerial observation of an outbreak usually means that the initial focus beetle population has been expanding for 1 to 2 years in the area before the population really starts to build and show visible levels of infestation and signs of new attacks ("red-topped" new attacks, and "faders" which are trees that are starting to drop needles and turn brown).
Entomologists most experienced with this outbreak have seen it expand and fan out for approximately 5 to 7 years in each new focus area. The intensity of the current outbreak suggests that it could continue to expand for another 5 years or so since there are a number of contiguous spruce stands that are currently unaffected and would be subject to expansion from infested areas.
Q. Are there other insects that attack local spruce trees?
Yes. I'll discuss other bark beetles for this example. Up to 21 different species of Scolytid bark beetles (same family as spruce beetle) can be found in spruce throughout Alaska. However, these Scolytids are usually secondary to the primary cause of the death of the tree. Trees can be predisposed to successful attack by bark beetles, but the spruce beetle is the only Scolytid that can successfully attack and colonize living spruce trees. Another bark beetle, the Ips engraver, can sometimes become a problem in standing, live spruce but generally comes in after the tree is weakened and/or stressed by some other factor or agent. For example, root wounding and compaction during landscaping, basal scarring, defoliation by other spruce insects (e.g., budworm) and various types of wounding can predispose spruce trees to successful attacks by secondary bark beetles.
Q. Is there an age class, or size of spruce tree that beetles will not infest?
No. Spruce beetles can usually only successfully attack and complete a generation in large diameter spruce. These larger trees, typically 8" diameter or more, are growing less vigorously and contain more food for the beetles and fewer resin producing cells which serve as the first line of defense against the spruce beetle. Small spruce are at a more rapid growth stage, have thinner bark, and are better able to produce resin flows that do not allow the pioneer beetles to establish a mass attack population of beetles. Spruce beetles successfully attack the larger spruce since they are able to attack enmasse and establish more successful galleries and brood populations.
The initial pioneer beetles can be found first in the largest spruce in the stand. As new generations of beetles are produced in standing trees and as the beetle population grows, successively smaller spruce are attacked until beetles are found in most of the 8" and larger diameter trees.
Spruce susceptibility isn't always a function of age, since I have seen 12 to 15 inch spruce on very productive sites that were only 50 years of age. However, these trees were overwhelmed by "epidemic" populations of beetles that were able to overcome the trees' defense mechanisms to establish several hundred beetles per tree. The typical susceptible spruce on the southern Kenai Peninsula averages 11 to 15 inch diameters and is over 100 years old.
Q. Can anything be done to control the spread of beetles on large acreage?
Control or eradication of infestations over large areas is not feasible unless conducted with an aggressive tree removal program to eliminate brood trees. Control is usually impractical over large areas because beetle population increase can outpace control efforts over a short period of time. However, there are measures that can be taken over large acreage that involve harvest of susceptible trees to "slow the spread". The intensity levels that we have seen during this ongoing infestation can approach up to 70% mortality during the first few years of the infestation in the heaviest impacted stands. In these stands, control is not possible. The best that can be hoped for on most of the large infested tracts is that some economic value can be generated from the sale to pay for rehabilitation of the site as soon as possible to a productive forest stand.
Effective control and suppression measures will depend first on the stage of the infestation (are populations increasing, decreasing, or static) and the objectives of the individual landowners, and whether there is single or multiple ownership across the infested landscape. I believe that the most effective "control" will be by individual landowners who can address the beetle head on and take aggressive action to suppress an infestation (remove infested material) and apply proactive preventive measures, including cultural methods such as watering, fertilization, and pruning large lower branches and the use of preventive insecticide sprays. Any cultural measure which will increase tree vigor is effective. Pruning out the large lower limbs also helps to change "microclimate" conditions around the trees by increasing temperatures which the beetles prefer less than cooler, shaded attack sites. Application of diluted preventive insecticides is the most effective measure to prevent new beetle attacks but these compounds must be applied safely and in the right dilution (adhere strictly to the pesticide label).
Q. What are the advantages and hazards of leaving beetle killed spruce in place?
The advantages of leaving infested spruce in place, again, will depend on the surrounding ownership, and objectives of the surrounding landowners. There are both "positive" and "negative" impacts associated with spruce beetle epidemics. Game populations that depend on large, mature spruce will decline (e.g., marbled murrelet, marten), however, wildlife populations that are tied to vegetation types that increase during the outbreak will thrive for a period of years. For example, increases in perennial grasses and certain shrubs that increase from beetle-thinning and opening up the stands, and increased solar radiation and temperature levels to the forest floor will increase associated small mammal populations.
Hazards associated with leaving infested trees include increases in hazard trees and public safety concerns along trails and in public campgrounds. Fire risk and hazard can increase during certain times of the year, especially as the stands open up and "fuel" levels change to increasing levels of flashy fuels (grasses) and heavy fuels increase from the accumulation of down beetle killed trees on the forest floor.
To return to the menu click here: Menu.Carbaryl is a wide-spectrum carbamate insecticide which controls over 100 species of insects on citrus, fruit, cotton, forests, lawns, nuts, ornamentals, shade trees and other crops, as well as on poultry, livestock and pets. Carbaryl is a general use pesticide. See Related Links: Extoxnet.
Regarding spruce bark beetles: When mixing Carbaryl, always wear protective clothing. Always mix with water. Use 1 gallon per tree at a rate of 1 percent of active ingredient. Spray on windless day. Use caution near water (ponds, pools, faucets). Do not spray toward people, animals, rivers, or creeks. Spray as high as possible on the tree, 30 feet or higher. Remove moss at the base of trees, and spray at the bottom of infested trees to kill hibernating beetles preparing for flight. Consider hiring professional applicators who use high pressure application systems. A commercial license is required to spray on someone else's property.
Toxicological effects:Carbaryl is moderately to very toxic, and is labeled with a WARNING signal word. It can produce adverse effects in humans through skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion. Direct contact of the skin or eyes with moderate levels of this pesticide can cause burns. Inhalation or ingestion of very large amounts can be toxic to the nervous and respiratory systems resulting in nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea and excessive salivation. About 50 cases of occupational or accidental illnesses due to exposure to carbaryl have been reported, but no fatalities have been documented. The only documented fatality from carbaryl was through intentional ingestion.
Ecological effects:
Protective clothing
Pesticides can enter the body in three ways:Natural or synthetic rubber, vinyl, or plastic gloves are a very important way to keep pesticides away from your skin. Wearing gloves should be a standard practice when handling pesticides. Replace protective gloves often, even though they may not seem worn or contaminated. Never use leather, paper, or fabric gloves when working with pesticides. These materials easily absorb and hold liquids and dusts, and can become a serious source of exposure. Disposable gloves are appropriate if they can resist chemical penetration and are sturdy enough to resist puncturing or tearing during the period of use.
Wear chemical resistant boots or footwear during most mixing, loading, and application jobs. Never wear leather or canvas shoes.
It is also important to protect our eyes from pesticides. Use a face shield or goggles when you are using pressurized equipment or liquid concentrates; where there is a chance for mists, dusts, or splashes; and when the label tells you to prevent eye exposure.
Breathing the pesticide into your lungs may be a problem where dusts, fine spray mists, smoke, fog, or vapors are generated. Since an inhaled pesticide is rapidly and almost completely absorbed by the body, you must protect yourself from this kind of exposure.
Launder normally contaminated clothes at the end of the work day, following these guidelines:
Impact of Beetle Infested Forest on Wildlife
The impact to wildlife habitat in spruce bark beetle infested forests will change as the forest goes through its transition. As the outbreak progresses, there will be an increase in the numbers of animals and birds foraging on abundant beetle larva. Expect an increase in northern woodpeckers and red squirrels.
As the bugs run their course on available spruce habitat, the amount of food (larva) will decrease, as will local populations of squirrels and woodpeckers. As the number of healthy, large spruce decreases, deep-forest needle cover is reduced, and the Townsend warblers, marbled murrelets, and spruce grouse populations may temporary decline.
On the other hand, wildlife species such as moose, small mammals and related predators may increase during the transition, if smaller trees or grass inhabit the forest.
Impact to Fisheries
If salmon spawning streams are bordered by large diameter spruce, and if these trees are subsequently killed by spruce bark beetles, there is concern as to the long-term availability of large woody debris in streams. Logging in areas near streams has a negative affect on fish habitat due to the disruption of stream composition. A continual supply of large woody debris in spawning streams is a necessary component for spawning habitat integrity.
The Forest Practices Act has setback requirements for any logging practice near watersheds.
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Landscaping for Wildlife in Alaska
By planting trees, shrubs, and grasses with the needs of wildlife in mind, it is possible to create beautiful surroundings that provide food, cover, and water to a variety of birds and mammals. While you wait for trees and shrubs to grow, a bird feeder can attract a variety of birds particularly during winter.
Pine Grosbeaks, Tree Swallows, Bohemian Waxwings, Hermit Thrushes, American Robins, and Snow Buntings are just a few of the colorful songbirds that can live amidst Alaska's cities, villages, farms, and homesteads - if we landscape the places we live and work with their needs in mind. Snowshoe hares, flying squirrels, and other interesting mammals may also find homes in landscaped areas.
Habitat for native birds and small mammals can be easily produced by supplying them the necessities of life: food, cover, water, and space in the proper arrangement. Different species require different kinds and quantities of these necessities. Seed, berry and insect eating birds that need only small areas to live are the species whose needs can be most easily provided for by landscaping.
Six steps to creating wildlife habitat:Grasses and sedges
Bluejoint Reedgrass, Alyeska Polargrass, Red Fescue, Bluegrass, Sedges:
Un-mowed grasses are valuable seed sources for White-crowned, Golden-crowned, and Savannah Sparrows, Horned Larks, Snow Buntings, and Gray-crowned Rosy Finches. Grasses provide valuable concealing cover for ground nesting birds like grouse, sparrows, and warblers. Grasses also provide cover for small mammals like voles and shrews.
Shrubs
Willow catkins, buds and twigs are excellent food for Pine Grosbeaks, Ruffed Grouse, Ptarmigan and moose. Wilson's and Yellow Warblers, and Tree Sparrows frequently nest in willows. Yellow Wagtails, Arctic and Blackpoll Warblers and Redpolls are provided cover and feeding areas.
Douglas Maple
Maple seeds are eaten by Ruffed Grouse, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Pine Grosbeaks, and Northern Flying Squirrels. Maple also provides excellent cover.
Alder
Alder provides food and cover for Savannah Golden-crowned, White-crowned, Tree, Song, and Fox Sparrows; provides cover for Hermit, Swainson's, and Varied Thrushes, a variety of flycatchers (notably Alder Flycatchers), and is particularly popular with Redpolls.
Oregon Crabapple, Greene Mountain Ash, Sitka Mountain Ash, Saskatoon Serviceberry, Pacific Serviceberry, Red-osier Dogwood, Pacific Red Elder, High Bush Cranberry, Early Blueberry
These native plants produce fruits that attract a variety of birds including Hermit, Gray-cheeked, and Swainson's Thrushes, American Robin, Pine Grosbeaks, Bohemian Waxwings, Common Flicker, and Steller's Jays. Black-capped and Boreal Chickadees, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and other birds will use these shrubs for cover during summer and fall.
Siberian Crabapple, European Mountain Ash, Chokecherry, and Bird Cherry
These exotic fruit producing plants attract some of the same species as the above native North American plants, and these have been shown to be hardy in parts of Alaska. Bohemian Waxwings and Pine Grosbeaks in particular seem to be attracted by the berries of these plants.
Lilac
Lilacs produce fragrant flowers and provide cover for a variety of birds. Lilac seeds are eaten by Pine Grosbeaks.
Dwarf Birch
Birches provide cover and seeds used by Black-capped Chickadees, Redpolls, and a variety of other birds. Rock Ptarmigan and moose eat the buds and twigs.
Coniferous Trees
White Spruce, Black Spruce, Sitka Spruce, Mountain Hemlock, Western Hemlock, Alaska Redcedar, Tamarack (Larch), Siberian Larch:
Coniferous trees provide food in the form of seeds to Red and White-winged Crossbills, Pine Siskins, Chestnut-backed and Boreal Chickadees, Pine Grosbeaks, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Red and Northern Flying Squirrels, and a variety of other species.
Coniferous trees also provide feeding and nesting sites for insect eating birds including Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped and Townsend's Warblers, Varied Thrushes, Gray Jays, and Northern Three-toed Woodpeckers.
Gray and Steller's Jays nest in coniferous trees. Excepting larch, these trees provide excellent winter cover for chickadees, Pine Grosbeaks, Bohemian Waxwings, Dark-eyed Juncos, Boreal Owls, grouse, and many others.
Deciduous trees
Balsam Poplar, Black Cottonwood, Quaking Aspen, Birch:
Deciduous trees are important feeding sites for Yellow-rumped, Blackpoll, and Orange-crowned Warblers, Black-capped Chickadees, Hermit and Swainson's Thrushes, American Robins, Common Flickers, and Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers.
Redpolls thrive on birch seeds in winter and spring. Pine Grosbeaks, Ruffed and Blue Grouse, snowshoe hare, and moose feed on the buds, shoots and twigs. During summer, these trees provide valuable cover.
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"Kachemak, an aleut word for Smokey Bay"
Smokey Bay has described our Kachemak Community for a long time. The orange color in the bluffs is the result of baked soil near burning coal seams. These coal seams likely ignited after wildfires passed over them. Today our wildfire hazards are extreme and the stakes are much higher. Since 1955, Homer's average temperatures are up over 4 degrees, and climbing. Our dried fuels include tall grasses and diseased past-its-prime forest. The organic fuels cause high fire spread and intensity. Our population is booming, and Wildfire Preparedness on our road system is tenuous. Any one of these factors can result in wildland fire problems. Currently we're living with all these factors.This wildfire alert is a fire prevention and preparation advisory to the general public. Please take the time to read and share it with your household today. It could save your life. If you suspect an escaped wildfire, verify the situation. If help is required, dial 911 immediately.
Wildfire prevention
"Fire suppression is a failure of fire prevention"
"A safety zone of cleared fuel in order to defend a structure from wildfire."
"Fire on the mountain, lightning in the air."
Evacuation
"Where you gonna go when the volcano blows?
Evacuation may be required to save your life. Prepare for that possibility now. What would you take? Pictures, valuables, medicine, eyeglasses, hearing aids, insurance policies, checkbooks, credit cards, computer back-up disks, bank records, money, jewelry? No one's life is worth losing as the cost of defending a structure. Unless you have good defensible space and an adequate water source, structure defense is marginal in an escaped wildfire.
"A wildfire roars like a jet engine."
As a wildfire approaches, firebrands will usually precede the fire front. This front is a wave of energy that passes after it consumes the fuels. The probability of surviving a wildfire front from inside your home will be higher than from outside. Stay clear of outside walls and windows, close all doors. After the fire front passes, check the roof immediately, extinguish all fire from the structure or nearby. Check your entire yard after the fire front passes, and keep checking it for at least 12 to 24 hours for hot spots.
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Spruce Bark Beetle and Fire Hazard
Spruce bark beetle activity level Southcentral Alaska has increased to involve nearly a million acres of "active" infestation as of 1997. Land and home owners, land managers, local fire departments and wildland fire managers have all expressed concerns about hazards created by the increased beetle activity in once healthy stands of spruce.
The long-term drying (drought) condition is one theory of the cause of the current epidemic outbreak of spruce bark beetles. The average mean temperature on the Kenai Peninsula has risen over four degrees in the last 40 years, leading to melting glaciers and lower humidity. Ocean temperatures adjacent to Cook Inlet rose substantially in 1997. Springtime officially arrives in the Arctic an average of eight days earlier than it did a decade ago.
Fire behavior variables include weather, topography and fuel conditions. There are almost endless combinations of variables for fire behavior in the spruce beetle infested forest. For example, areas with a low percentage of grass but with a large percentage of moss and lichen surface coverage, should generate much less concern than a beetle attacked stand of spruce with over 50% surface coverage in grasses.
There have been many questions raised about the fire danger associated with various phases of the spruce bark beetle attack on the forest. The crowns of healthy white spruce trees will burn with great intensity during Alaska's fire season because of the naturally low needle moisture content and the presence of volatile resins and chemical compounds. A torching green spruce tree will spread fire in all directions because of the spotting characteristics of its volatile-oil needles.
The "red needle" phase occurs a year after the successful attack on once healthy stands of spruce. The first sign of beetle attack may be yellowing needles, which later turn reddish in color. The needles may remain on the branches for an entire season after the tree dies. Field observations from firefighters indicate that trees are even more flammable during the "red needle" phase than is a green, healthy tree.
By the second year of the attack, after the red needles fall off the tree, spruce will burn less actively than the two earlier described stages. A hotter surface fire, or a high-wind driven fire, is required to ladder a fire into the needle absent crowns. Fires in these stands will burn consistent with dry firewood, but the spread and ignition component is lessened.
After the "snags" fall, usually caused by stem breakage, fire behavior changes again. The rates of spread slow down. The reason for the decreased spread rate is that the heavy fuels break up the continuity of the surface fuel bed, acting as a heat sink to the passing flames. If the heavy (large) fuels support combustion, the resulting fire intensity may preclude control efforts. A hot, intense fire in heavy fuels may also alter the soil characteristics enough to effectively prohibit re-establishment of the climax plant community (spruce/hardwoods) over a portion of the fire area. The spruce forest and related vegetation may be lost for decades if this occurs.
Extreme fire behavior characteristics are observed when the following occur:Combining the above conditions at one time could cause rates of spread to exceed 1 miles per hour. Long range spotting (2 to 3 miles) could occur with high wind speeds. During the 1996 Crooked Creek Fire, which began in a logging area 15 miles east of Ninilchik, wildfire spread was measured at eight miles in one day.
Southcentral Alaska is not predisposed to lightning started wildfires. Almost all of the wildland fire threat in Southcentral arises from human started fires. Slash burning is a common component to tree clearing practices of homeowners and commercial loggers. Continued monitoring and regulating of burning must continue if a fire prevention program is to be successful. In recent summer fire seasons, fire managers have closed the forest to all burning during high fire danger.
It is recognized that fire plays an important role in preparing a site for forest vegetation establishment. Considering the importance of the role of fire in the boreal forest ecosystem, state, federal and local land managers in Alaska have developed interagency fire management plans to preserve this vital management option. Unfortunately, the inclusion of "natural" fires in the ecosystem is not acceptable in many areas because of intermingled private and government land ownership patterns.
One obvious solution to this urban interface problem is to create "defensible space". The term "defensible space" refers to practices that dramatically improve a homeowner or landowner's chances of withstanding a wildland fire. The principles are simple: clear flammable vegetation within 30 feet of your home; thin and prune trees beyond the 30 foot perimeter, out to at least 100 feet; remove beetle killed spruce trees within 100 feet of structures; use metal or other fire resistant roofing materials; and move woodpiles and other combustibles away from structures. Well constructed, defensible space, combined with a good evacuation plan may save lives too!
Defensible space must be created prior to a major wildland fire. There is usually very little time to complete these important tasks as the fire approaches. It is also unlikely that firefighters will be able to successfully prepare a structure to withstand an urban interface fire. Their success will depend on how well members of the community followed the "defensible" space guidelines. In addition many homeowners are in further danger because of the lack of defensible space clearances required for safe passage on secondary roads into their property. Poor soil conditions in springtime can make access and egress problems for homeowners and firefighters.
The impact of the spruce beetle on the wildland fire hazard is one of many factors that challenge those who live in the wildland urban interface. It will take the combined efforts of private citizens and government agencies to meet the challenge!
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Defensible Space and Fire Resistant Landscaping
Create Defensible SpaceMany Alaskans live in areas where wildfire is a threat each spring and summer. You may not be able to eliminate the threat, but you can take steps to protect your home or cabin. Fire resistant vegetation and appropriate landscaping can help slow or stop the spread of fire near your home. Taking these steps is especially important for rural home owners, but can also protect urban homes in the event of an escaped structure or debris fire. To protect your home, create 3 zones of defensible space - areas around your home that provide defense from an approaching fire.
Zone 1This is the area immediately around and within 30 feet of your home on level ground. On a steep slope, increase the distance to 100 feet on the downhill side.
Zone 2 extends an additional 100 feet outside Zone 1.
The key to a fire-safe landscape is proper and regular maintenance. Pruning eliminates ladder fuels - branches at different heights and close enough together to allow a fire to climb into the crowns of trees. A fire on the ground, such as in short grass, is much easier to stop than one spreading through the crowns of trees.
Thinning the vegetation eliminates a continuous fuel source and can slow the spread of fire. A minimum of 10 feet is needed between crowns of trees to make a break in overhead fuels. Space smaller plants 5 to 10 feet apart, depending on their size. Retain the healthiest plants and a variety of species and ages.
Keeping plants near your home well-watered will limit their tendency to burn.
AccessAll plants will burn under extreme conditions, such as drought. However, plants burn at different intensities and rates of consumption. Fire resistant plants burn at a lower intensity, with slower rates of spread, and with short flame lengths. Following are characteristics of fire resistant vegetation and landscapes.
Following is a list of a few of the plant species used in Alaskan landscapes, which also have fire resistant characteristics. Some ground covers are very invasive and not appropriate for all locations. Check horticultural references and local garden centers for plants appropriate for your area, and for information on growing conditions and use of these plants.
Shrubs:Currant, Flowering almond, Lilac (dwarf varieties), Nanking cherry, Peking cottoneaster, Potentilla, Rose, Serviceberry, Silverberry, Spirea, Viburnum.
Trees:Amur chokecherry, Amur maple, Apple (crab and full size), Birch, Chokecherry, Larch, May Day (pruned as tree, not shrub), Mountain ash, Quaking aspen.
Ground covers and perennials:
Alaska's fire season is defined as the period between May 1 and September 30 each year. However, state law and regulations pertaining to burning practices are in effect everywhere in the state all year long.
In specified areas of the state, burning permits are required for all burning except if contained within an approved device, or if for signaling, cooking, or warming. All other burning in the permit area requires a permit during the fire season.
A burn barrel is an approved device for burning. This device does not require a burning permit as long as specifications are followed. All burn barrels are subject to spot checks by State Forestry personnel. Use of an approved burn barrel does not relieve the individual of responsibility should the fire escape as a result of negligence. Anyone starting a fire is responsible for that fire until it is completely out.
During times of extreme fire danger, the State Forester may close an area to burning. If you intend to burn in an incorporated city, please contact your local fire department regarding permit requirements.
Specifications for an approved burn barrel
Class A: 1 acre of mowed grass, 1 inch in height or less; OR 1 pile of vegetative material with the dimensions of 10 feet by 10 feet (diameter), by 4 feet in height. These burn permits may be acquired by filling out the permit form at the Homer Fire Department or State Forestry office.
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The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is the agency responsible for air quality around the State. During the winter of 1996, huge commercial logging piles were lit near the Anchor Point area, which caused many landowners to complain about the quality of health. Meetings were held in February 1997 between all the parties and a commercial regulatory burning program was started. Logging projects of more than 40 acres now require a burning permit with guidelines to minimize smoke by providing for the most efficient combustion possible to limit the impact on public welfare.
The Division of Forestry administers an outside burning program to prevent outbreaks of forest fires, but that program runs from May to the end of September. With more land clearing taking place, numerous large piles are burned with poor smoke dispersal. Poor smoke dispersal can occur when fuel combustion temperatures are not adequate to cause the smoke to rise. Also low barometric pressure (cloudy and calm conditions) creates an atmospheric lid causes poor smoke dispersal.
Any contractor who fails to abide by the commercial regulatory guidelines is guilty of a violation of AS 46.03900 "creating air pollution." Air pollution means the presence in the outdoor atmosphere of one or more air contaminants in quantities and of duration that would tend to be injurious to human health or welfare, animal or plant life, or property, or would unreasonably interfere with the enjoyment of life or property.
These guidelines, although not regulated for projects under 40 acres, are important to improve the air quality around winter slash piles. Guidelines include:
Dry the slash to the maximum extent practicable.Separate fine fuels from the heavier tops and stumps. Tarp and stack the heavier fuels to dry. Allow for some ventilation from the bottom of the piles. Allow to dry until next fall.
Conduct burning on days with good smoke dispersal.A good dispersal day characteristically includes clear skies, higher barometric pressure, and winds blowing 5 mph or greater. Higher wind conditions are optimal for greater combustion. In contrast, summer burning conditions are regulated when high winds are present. Surface and transport winds aloft should carry smoke away from populated areas.
Conduct a test burn when conditions warrant, to determine if sufficient ventilation exists.Smoke should rise at least 500 feet and be transported away from any residential areas.
Tend the active fire phase on each pile.Maintain maximum combustion efficiency and fuel consumption.
Minimize the smoldering fire phase.Minimize smoldering by not burning without visible flame, and do not create smoke by using snow, water or soil to extinguish piles.
Burn PermitsThe Alaska Division of Forestry and local fire departments are responsible for administering the forestry burn permit process during the fire season. Typically this begins sometime in April or May, and continues through September. Permits are generally written for three years and are renewable. Citizens must notify the fire service in the jurisdiction area before lighting any fire.
During times of high fire danger local fire chiefs and State fire managers may suspend all burn permits.
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Any tree that, in falling, could reach a structure or improvement can be considered a hazard tree. Green spruce and birch are predisposed to interior rotting after maturity, and can break off or uproot during high wind storms.
The spruce bark beetle carries a fungus which develops in the trees after the beetle infests. Some of these fungi impart a blue-gray color to the sapwood, commonly called blue stain. Blue stains can completely penetrate the sapwood within a year. The development of blue stain blocks the outer conducting tissues in the xylem and essentially stops translocation of nutrients to the tree. This action, plus the destruction of the phloem by the beetles, kills the tree. The blue stain, however does not contribute directly to tree rot.
Increased saturation of dead trees with coastal moisture adds to the development of the forest fungus. Rotting action over time makes the tree unstable and add to its vulnerability to falling. Drilling into a tree with a bit and examining the tailings will show the extent of rot damage.
Windthrow is an immediate concern for hazard trees. Strong winds coupled with exposed clearings can make remaining trees vulnerable to snapping or uprooting.
Signs that may signal a potential hazard tree include:If there is any tree near a utility line that exhibits hazard conditions, call the utility company. Experienced crews will clear any hazard tree that threatens a primary or secondary power line.
Plant the Right Tree Near Utility Lines
1. Within eight feet of lines: Do not plant trees or shrubs within eight feet of either side of a line. This space is needed for equipment access. Plant grasses, annuals, and herbaceous perennials in this area.
2. Eight feet to 20 feet from lines plant the following:3. More than 20 feet from lines: Plant any size tree or shrub beyond 20 feet from power lines. It is best to plant the larger species further from the lines. Consider the width of the crown as well as the tree height.
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Your tree should live for many years, so it pays to select the tree that best suits the site and meets your purposes for planting. Look at mature trees of the species you're interested in planting. Take a list of desired characteristics, and information about your site to a nursery or garden center professional. Ask for a recommendation for a tree species or cultivar (a variety cultivated for specific characteristics) appropriate to your site. The Alaska Cooperative Extension can also help you select the right tree for your site.
Ask about the tree'sTypes of planting stock
Trees are usually sold in one of three conditions: as bare-root, in containers, or balled and burlapped (B&B). The type you choose will depend on the time of year you plant, the amount of money you want to spend, your reasons for planting a tree, and the species and size you prefer.
Bare root trees are dug from the field in the fall, the soil is removed and they are stored over winter. Generally, only deciduous shrubs and small trees are dug bare-root. Bare root stock must be planted in early spring while still dormant. Bare root plants are usually the least expensive; if handled improperly they can have the highest mortality. Avoid bare root plants displayed in sunny locations, or actively growing and producing leaves. Keep the roots moist and protected from sun and wind at all times.
Packaged trees are bare-root trees with roots packed in moist material, such as peat moss, and enclosed in a package or bag. Treat these the same as bare root trees, and plant in the spring before growth begins. Check the roots of packaged plants for signs of decay.
Containerized trees are transplanted from the nursery bed into a container. If placed in the container in early spring, plants may be well enough established for the soil to hold together as a root ball during transplanting later in the summer or fall. If recently potted, as they often are in Alaska, the root ball may not hold together, and you will need to take special care not to injure the roots during transplanting.
Balled and burlapped (B&B) trees are dug with a firm ball of soil around the roots, which is then held securely in place with burlap and twine or a wire basket. Because of the weight of the soil ball, large B&B trees can be difficult to transport and plant. B&Bstock is often the most expensive, but if handled and planted properly is as reliable as container grown trees. A broken, damaged or dry soil ball can mean serious damage to the roots. The burlap should be tightly wrapped. B&B stock may be planted throughout the growing season.
Choosing a treeInspect a tree carefully before buying it. Ask the nursery about guarantees or replacement policies. A healthy tree with good form will have the following characteristics:
Disease
Proper tree size and root ball proportions
The American Association of Nurserymen has set standards for the height to diameter relationship, and root ball sizes to reduce transplant shock and ensure that enough roots are moved with the tree. A rule of thumb: one foot of root ball for one inch of caliper. Caliper is the diameter of a tree 6 inches above the ground on trees with a diameter of 4 inches or less; 12 inches above the ground on trees with a diameter over 4 inches.
Transport
Carefully transport your tree to avoid damaging the bark or breaking twigs and buds. Protect leaves and needles from sun and wind by wrapping or covering them and securing loose ends with soft ties. Pad the trunk and branches if they could rub against a hard surface. Keep the root ball moist and cover bare roots with wet burlap, peat, or potting soil. Keep the tree in a shady, protected location until it is planted.
Always lift a tree by the container or root ball; never lift or carry a tree by the trunk. The trunk may seem like a natural "handle", but lifting by the trunk can break roots from the trunk and cause the tree to die. Also, be careful to not drop a tree. Even a short drop can damage roots and kill a tree, especially a conifer.
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Transplanting Trees and Seedlings
Choose a tree that can be removed successfully with the tools you have available. If you have a spade, a tree with a trunk diameter of 1 to 1 inches is probably the largest you can move without damaging the roots. The root systems of most native trees are relatively shallow-rooted and spread out horizontally due to cold underlying soil conditions. When you start digging, stay beyond the drip line of the tree. The small roots at the end are important for water and nutrient uptake; removing or damaging those important feeder roots puts additional stress on the tree after transplanting.
A tree that is in a dormant state is less likely to suffer transplant shock. The demands placed on the root system by a dormant tree are much less than by an actively growing one. Winter is a dormant period, but digging is usually not possible. Early spring is also a dormant period, but leaf growth often starts by the time the ground thaws enough to remove the tree. The fall dormancy period is usually preferable because it is followed by a period of time when a damaged root system can re-grow and recover. This re-growth occurs even though the tree appears dormant and the soil is cold. If you have no choice but to move a tree during the growing season, be very careful not to cause root damage. Take precautions to prevent excessive water loss (transpiration) from the leaves during transport and after planting. Selective pruning as well as using windbreaks and anti-desiccants are techniques to consider.
Carefully remove the root ball by digging under the roots and toward the center from all sides. Carefully roll the root ball onto a tarp, burlap, or heavy plastic. Tie securely to hold the root ball in place and prevent root drying.
Transport the tree to the new location so that drying effects are kept to a minimum. Hauling trees in the bed of a pickup for long distances can cause severe water loss from the foliage which could be followed by leaf drop after transplanting is done.
Choose and prepare the new planting site in advance. Consider the tree's requirements for sun, soil, water and air, drainage, wind protection and winter protection. The survival rate of transplanted trees is greatly increased if you can satisfy environmental needs. The replanting hole should be five times the diameter of the root ball. This is especially important if the new site has tight or poorly drained soil. The depth should be 10 to 12 inches.
Excavate the center of the planting hole somewhat deeper, so that the tree will be positioned at the same depth as it was originally growing. The soil used for replanting should be as similar as possible to the soil removed. This will ensure that drainage occurs through the soil and beyond, and that the plant will extend its roots from the transplanting hole into the surrounding area. Some organic matter can be added uniformly throughout. Place the tree in the hole, remove the wrapping from the root ball, and carefully reposition any twisted or curled roots. Adding water to the soil several times during the process settles the soil and eliminates air pockets. Continue placing soil in the hole and rake it until soil is even over the entire area. A shallow layer of surface mulch will help maintain moisture.
You should stake the tree only if strong winds are a problem. You can damage the bark or girdle the tree if the guy wires are too tight, or left in place too long. Do not use wire, or hose covered wire. Keep the tree well-watered during the transplant recovery period.
Planting and caring for a tree seedling:
Keep the seedling in its container until immediately before planting to protect its delicate roots. Set it upright in a shady spot and protect it from extreme temperatures, high winds and direct sunlight. Plant the seedling as soon as possible. The potting medium dries out quickly, so water the seedling every few days. Stand it in a container and sprinkle until water drips out the bottom of the tube.
You may want to plant the seedling in a large pot and let it grow larger before planting it in your yard. It may be left outside during the winter if covered by a deep layer of snow. Plant within the following 2 years so that it does not become pot bound.
Most trees love sunshine, so choose an open, sunny place to plant. Prepare a planting area about 2 feet in diameter by clearing all vegetation and using a shovel or hoe to loosen the soil. Loosen as deep as the length of soil around the roots, from the top of the root plug to the bottom of the roots, about 6 to 8 inches. You may add organic matter if you mix it evenly throughout the loosened soil. Make a hole in the center of the planting area the same depth as the loosened soil.
Gently cut off any exposed roots growing from the bottom of the tube. Carefully slip the seedling from the tube, disturbing the roots as little as possible. Place the seedling in the hole so that the top of the root plug is even with the ground level. Hold the seedling at the proper level, and push loose soil around the roots. Make sure the roots go straight down. Firm the soil around the roots with your hand so there are no air pockets. Water lightly to settle the soil.
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Pruning helps keep your landscape trees healthy, attractive, and safe. Keep the tree's future growth in mind. It's important to start pruning early in the life of the tree to achieve and maintain the desired shape with less drastic cutting. Trees benefit from pruning that helps maintain characteristic tree shape or form.
Selective pruning, or "thinning out" within the crown of mature trees can lessen the hazard of limb breakage during storms by reducing the tree's crown density. This lowers its resistance to wind, its capacity for snow-loading, and the likelihood of breakage and wind-throw.
Trees near streets, sidewalks, buildings, or utility lines may require pruning to fit the available spaces. Sometimes healthy limbs may need to be pruned to prevent future hazards, such as included bark in forks or acute angles on large branches, and where low branches might promote the spread of wildfire.
Pruning at the right time encourages flowering in species with showy flowers. Trees that bloom in the spring from buds formed the previous year should be pruned right after the flowers have bloomed and are beginning to drop off or decay. On trees that bloom later in the growing season, on the current year's growth, pruning should occur in late winter or early spring before leaf growth begins. Consider seeking professional advice about pruning fruit-bearing trees.
General pruning can be done at almost any time of year, but some times are better than others. It's best to avoid pruning when leaves are opening or falling from the tree. Limbs that are damaged, dead, or broken can be removed during any season. Remember that leaves are the site of photosynthesis, which gives the tree the energy to grow. A newly planted or transplanted tree needs lots of energy to grow new roots and adjust to a new location. To conserve the tree's vigor and reduce shock, it's best to remove only dead or damaged branches at planting, and delay other pruning until after the first full growing season.
In most cases, pruning of young conifers should be limited to the removal of double leaders (tops) and large, acutely angled, or out of proportion branches. If your young spruce or pine develops two tops (terminal main stem leaders), remove one of them. Save the top that looks healthier, or is higher on the stem. If the main stem leader is broken off, select the highest healthy lateral branch, and tie it to a vertical brace to encourage it to become the new leader.
Each branch has a branch collar, a thicker-barked area surrounding the base of the branch as it attaches to the trunk. The branch collar is made of material that helps keep decay causing organisms from spreading from the branch into the trunk. This branch collar and the protection zone it provides must be preserved so that a ring of "wound wood" will form around the pruning cut. Within one growing season there should be a round, target-shaped appearance to the wound. The outer ring should be raised and curling over the exposed wood, all the way around.
To preserve the branch collar, make the cut parallel to the outer edge (branch side) of the branch collar. Do not cut flush with the line of the trunk, and do not leave branch stubs. Stubs promote decay and cause the decay to enter the trunk. Remove large limbs at the branch collar, and cut small branches at a growing point or bud, so that new growth will occur in the desired direction; in most cases, away from the center of the tree.
Use sharp, clean tools. Pruning shears will do for small branches. A sharp saw is needed for limbs more than inch in diameter. If removing a limb large enough that a saw is needed, a 3-cut procedure will prevent damage to the main trunk, and promote rapid closing of the wound.3. Final cut is at the outer edge of the branch collar. This cut will not be in line with the tree trunk.
Wound dressings, also called pruning paint, are not necessary, and may promote wood decay. Never prune near utility lines. Hire an experienced tree care expert when you have a big pruning job, or if you're concerned about hazardous conditions.
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Mulch: an organic or inorganic material that is applied on top of the ground over the root zone of trees to improve site conditions and tree health.
Most tree roots are located in the top 6 to 12 inches of soil, in an area that extends out from the base of the tree trunk to a distance of at least 2 to 3 times the radius of the tree's crown. Mulching an urban tree improves its chance for survival and increases its overall health. Good quality mulching materials are usually readily available. Organic materials are preferable over inorganic materials. Proper application of mulch around a tree is important to insure that a tree benefits from your efforts.
Benefits of mulch: Conservation of soil moisture, improvement of soil structure, reduction in soil compaction, increase in soil aeration, increase in nutrient availability, moderation of soil temperatures, suppression of grasses and weeds, lower incidence of mower and weed trimmer damage, and can be aesthetically pleasing.
Recommended mulch materials: Pine needles, composted wood chips, tree bark, leaf mold, compost, agricultural wastes, landscape fabric, and light colored rock.
Materials not recommended: Fresh wood chips, leaves or grass; sawdust; straw; manure; eucalyptus sawdust or leaves, redwood or cedar sawdust, Douglas fir, larch or spruce bark; peat moss; dark colored stones; crushed limestone; or lightweight, flammable organic matter.
When to mulch: Annually, in spring before soil moisture decreases and temperatures increase; prior to, during, and after construction changes that affect tree roots; and after tree injury.
How to mulch: Apply mulch in a circle with a radius of at least 5 feet, or as large in feet as the tree diameter is in inches, OR extending out to the tree's "drip line" (area beneath the crown), whichever is larger. For example, a 6 inch diameter tree should have a mulched area with at least a 6 foot radius (12 foot diameter). A 12 inch diameter tree should have a mulched area with at least a 12 foot radius (24 foot diameter).
Apply mulch 3 to 4 inches deep. Keep mulch at least 3 inches from the base of the tree trunk. Create mulch beds incorporating 2 or more trees whenever possible.
Mulching do's and don'ts
Diagnosing Tree Health Problems
If you find insects or symptoms that you are unable to identify, you may take or send samples to the Alaska Cooperative Extension for identification.
When diagnosing tree problems, consider the following factors. Your notes on these questions will help you or a specialist arrive at a diagnosis. Note the date of your inspection.
Plant Data
Flowers and Fruit
Collecting and Handling Samples
Send a good representation of the problem, with samples that show a continuum of symptoms, if possible. Also send a sample of healthy material. Include an adequate amount as the diagnostician may need to destroy samples in order to examine them. Pack specimens carefully so they can withstand rough treatment.
PackingAlaska Cooperative Extension, Anchorage State Office, 2221 E. Northern Lights Blvd., Suite 118, Anchorage AK 99508-4143; Tel: (907) 279-6575
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The Forest Stewardship Program is an Alaska Division of Forestry service which assists private landowners with forestry needs. Initial assistance is given to develop a written forest plan. The plan must state and follow the landowners goals. There are no land-use expectations, and logging, road building, or public access are not required.
Landowners with 7 or more acres of undeveloped land which is capable of growing forest trees are eligible. Assessments of soils, timber, spruce bark beetle, reforestation, and wildlife habitat are provided, and a 10-year strategy based on the owner's interests is developed. Advice on timber harvest and contracting is provided on request. There is no fee for Stewardship Plans, but landowners are asked to sign the plan showing their intent to follow it.
The Stewardship Incentive Program provides cost-sharing for approved forestry practices. Payments come from USDA with inspection and approvals from the Alaska Division of Forestry. A signed Forest Stewardship Plan is required for cost-share eligibility. An application must be received and given approval prior to beginning the practice. The maximum allowable cost-share is $10,000 per landowner per year. Cost-share reimbursement is not available for timber sales, road building, or insecticide spraying.
Landowners can be reimbursed for 75% of the cost of forestry practices, with personal labor given $6 per hour. Landowners must show receipts or document their time in doing the practice. Reimbursable practices include but are not limited to: tree seedling purchase, tree planting, planting site preparation, slash piling and burning, forest thinning, forest pruning, forest fertilization, wildlife brush piles, bird boxes, and trail clearing.
Contact the Stewardship Forester in Soldotna, Alaska at (907) 262-4125 or e-mail at jeffg@dnr.state.ak.us/ for more information, or to schedule an appointment.
To return to the menu click here: Menu.Anchorage area:
Homer:
Fritz Creek Gardens, Homer; Tel: (907) 235-4969
Reid's Greenhouse, Homer; Tel: (907) 235-8035
Wagon Wheel, Homer; Tel: (907) 235-8777
Kenai Peninsula:
Nu-State Nursery & Flower Shop, Kenai; Tel: (907) 283-7742
O'Brien Apple Orchard & Nursery, Kenai; Tel: (907) 776-8726
Sterling Greenhouse, Sterling; Tel: (907) 262-3845
Trinity Greenhouse, Soldotna; Tel: (907) 262-9242
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Forestry Resources and Related Kenai Peninsula Businesses
Alaska Cooperative Extension
Alaska Division of Forestry
Alaska Forest Association
Provides information and publications.
Alaska Forest Management Education Alliance
Alaska Forest Stewardship Program
AK Division of Forestry
Provides information on forest stewardship and development of a stewardship plan, and offers financial assistance programs for owners of non-industrial private forest land. Provides site visits; information on forest land stewardship, forest insects and pests, reforestation, tree planting, and stewardship incentives cost-share programs.
Alaska Plant Materials Center
Alaska Society of American Foresters
521 Highview Drive, Anchorage AK 99515-3716
Tel/Fax: (907) 345-2787
Professional forestry group. Membership.
Alaska T.R.E.E.S., Inc.
3605 Arctic, #210, Anchorage AK 99503
Forms alliances with neighborhood and scout groups for tree planting, care and
reforestation education. Informational classes, elementary school field trips, in-field
discussions with forest science professionals. Publications available.
Alaska Urban & Community Forestry Program
Dept. of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry
American Forests
PO Box 2000, Washington DC 20013-2000
Tel: (202) 667-3300; Fax: 667-2407
Non-profit organization, sponsors Global ReLeaf, conducts research on urban forest
ecosystems and city surveys, provides environmental education materials, and works for
congressional support of urban and community forestry.
Anchorage Forestry Sciences Laboratory
3301 C Street, Suite 200, Anchorage AK 99503-3954
Tel: (907) 271-2585; Fax: 271-2898
Periodically inventories renewable resources of Alaska and reports findings to Congress, and makes information available to private individuals, corporations, and government agencies.
Chugach National ForestProvides technical assistance and information on forests, forest insects, etc. to national forest communities and landowners within and adjacent to national forests in Alaska.
Community Tree Planting ProgramPartnership between National Tree Trust, forest product companies, non-profits, and municipalities to promote public awareness and volunteerism in support of tree planting, maintenance, management, protection and cultivation.
Forest Health ManagementProvides technical and financial assistance to the state for forest health on state and private lands, including non-industrial private forest land; provides financial assistance to conduct pest prevention, suppression and risk assessment activities on state administered lands. Distributes insect and disease information and training materials to land managers and the public. Organizes training sessions and workshops.
Forest Insects & DiseaseManages Forest Health Protection Program and matters related to Integrated Forest Pest Management (University of Alaska Extension office). Provides materials and information for forest pest management plans for public and private lands. Provides publications and brochures. Grant funds are sometimes available.
Homer Garden ClubMembership $7/yr (1997); monthly meetings about local gardening, and newsletter.
Integrated Pest Management ProgramEducation and assistance in pest control solutions. The Cooperative Extension also has a catalog of publications on a wide range of subjects.
International ForestryBrings together US Forest Service units, including Research, National Forest System, State and Private Forestry, Administration, and Programs and Legislation for cooperative work with other governmental agencies, non-governmental groups, and international organizations in the areas of strategic planning and policy development, training and technical assistance, and research and scientific exchange.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Economic Development District, Inc.Provides timber and wood products information, grant assistance, business training and socio-economic information.
Kenai Peninsula Botanical SocietyMembership; monthly meetings and newsletter
Kenai Peninsula Timber Products Cooperative
Kenai Peninsula Global ReLeaf
PO Box 3988, Soldotna AK 99669
Tel: (907) 262-3289; Fax: 262-8408
An action and education campaign of American Forests, a non-profit conservation
organization. Members hold an annual sale of bare root tree seedlings, promote Arbor
Day, visit and give talks at schools, and plant trees on public lands. Video loan library.
Project Learning Tree
AK Division of Forestry
3601 C Street, Suite 1034, Anchorage AK 99503-5937
Tel: (907) 269-8481; Fax: 561-6659
Or: 1111 19th Street NW, Suite 780, Washington DC 20039.
Tel: (202) 463-2462
International curriculum that includes lessons on global environmental issues, botany,
people's inter-relationships with the forest ecosystem, and urban forestry. Provides loan
library, workshops, materials from other sources regarding specific requests, and advice
or assistance to teachers and others with regard to grants.
National Tree Trust
The National Arbor Day Foundation
Tree City USA
100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410
Application deadline December 31
Recognition of towns and cities that meet standards of Tree City USA standards.
The Woodland Workbook
A How-to Guide for the Woodland Owner/Manager
Oregon State University Extension Service
422 Kerr Administration, Corvallis, OR 97331-2119
29 publications of general interest to woodland owners, contained in 3-ring binder,
$41.50. Covers management planning, forest measurement, reforestation, stand
management, forest protection, logging, marketing forest products, multiple use, business
management, and kinds of assistance. Additional titles available.
Peninsula Businesses
Alaska Forestry Consultants
Tel/Fax: (907) 235-6956
Timber marketing, log scaling, reforestation, timber sale administration.
Alaska Plant Rescue
Dave Hunt, Homer; Tel: (907) 235-6315
Tree nursery with local seed source. Will dig up plants before land clearing begins.
Alaska Native Resource Consultants
Dean Kvasnikoff, Ninilchik; Tel: (907) 567-3603; Fax: 567-1077
Consultants; administer logging and reforestation contracts.
Alaskan Tree Service Company
Willie Condon, Fritz Creek ; Tel: (907) 235-5465
Hazardous tree removal; pruning, shaping, limbing and topping. Pre-commercial
thinning, fire buffer clearing. Stump grinding, brush chipping, and tree planting.
Ole Anderson, Consulting Forester
Soldotna; Tel: (907) 262-3289; Fax: 262-8408; E-mail: trees@alaska.net
Private woodland management, stewardship incentive program, forest management
planning, cost-share practices planning, Spruce bark beetle damage assessment.
Baldwin Seed Company
Dick Baldwin, Soldotna: Tel: (907) 262-5267
Packages of wild flowers and grasses.
Byrd's Tree Movers
Rodney Byrd, Kenai; Tel: (907) 776-8020
Log skidder equipment; remove trees, stack trees, purchase small parcels timber.
Cabin Crafters
Mickel Estes, Soldotna; Tel: (907) 262-4175
Log home building; dovetailed Perma Chink system.
Circle DE Lumber
Homer: Tel: (907) 235-8659
Lumber product company; large scale logging operation, purchases wood chips.
Diamond X Enterprises
Errol Andrew, Anchor Point; Tel: (907) 8368
Contract log hauling.
Discount Construction
Kenai; Tel: (907) 283-6087
Stump and tree removal.
Fritz Creek Lumber and Logging
Gene McBride, Fritz Creek; Tel: (907) 235-4094
Sawmill; log milling, lumber production.
Frontier manufacturing
Carl Jones, Homer; Tel: (907) 6374
Custom built log homes, using local spruce; post & beam timber framing.
Glover Sawmill Products
Leroy Glover, Anchor Point; Tel: (907) 235-8524
Sawmill operation.
Homer Timber Specialist
Bill Kaehr, Homer; Tel: (907) 235-8601
Tree removal, land clearing, and hauling service.
Kasilof Forest Furnishings
Leif Dragseth, Kasilof; Tel: (907) 283-2617
Sawmill operation; kiln-finished products.
Koch Lumber
Ron Koch, Anchor Point; Tel: (907) 7317
Portable sawmill, dimensional lumber; tree cutting.
Doug Koch Professional Tree Service
Homer: Tel: (907) 235-3403; Kenai/Soldotna call: 398-8733
Tree surgeon, pruning, removal, clean-up. Also logging, land clearing, timber purchase,
timber salvage, chipping.
O'Brien Mill and General Wood Products
Kenai; Tel: (907) 776-5283
House log cutting; sawmill operation. Specializing in birch, spruce, and cottonwood.
Select Woodworking
James Huff, Seldovia; Tel: (907) 234-7840
Cabinets and furniture make of locally cut, sawn, and air-dried local spruce.
Small Potatoes Lumber Company
Steve and Charlie Gibson, Homer; Tel: (907) 235-6487
Portable sawmill operation, dimensional lumber.
Tillion Enterprises, Inc.
Marge and Will Tillion, Fritz Creek; Tel: (907) 235-1237
Licensed tree spraying operation, tree thinning, wood chipping.
Timber Champs
Ultralight Logging
Wood Plus
Yeck & Sons Logging
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Alaska Division of Forestry
Roger Burnside, forest entomologist, e-mail with questions about the spruce
bark beetle: rogerb@dnr.state.ak.us/
Stewardship Forester in Soldotna, Alaska; e-mail at jeffg@dnr.state.ak.us/
U.S. Forest Service Spruce Beetle Forest Insects and Disease Leaflet
IMLAB: Alaska
Resolution 97-058
FETCH21 - Bark Beetles
National Agricultural Pest Information System(NAPIS)
Extoxnet
Sbexpert
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David Smith, Homer; Tel: (907) 4127
Mobile dimensional mill; logging of private parcels.
Nikolai Martushev, Homer; Tel: (907) 235-5228
Tree cutting service, private wood lots. Feller-buncher equipment.
Dave Reese, Sterling; Tel: (907) 262-7021
Custom harvest, hazard tree removal. Zigzag yarder, can harvest logs and firewood
without skid roads or trails.
Homer; Tel: (907) 7628
Cabinet and furniture building and repairs; boat work repairs.
Don Yeck, Anchor Point; Tel: (907) 235-7624
Land clearing company with feller-buncher equipment.
Forest practices, timber sales, firewood and house log sales, forest
stewardship, insects and disease, urban & community forestry, Project
Learning Tree.
Link to the National Forest Service site Pacific Northwest Region R6 Forest
Insects and Diseases. Forest Insect and Disease Leaflet 127. (html text only)
Imaging systems laboratory. Dept. of Landscape Architecture, Univ. of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Projects. Responses to a spruce bark beetle
outbreak.
Introduced by: Mayor. Date: 8/5/97. Action: Adopted. Vote: Unanimous.
Kenai Peninsula Borough. Resolution 97-058. A resolution authorizing the
Mayor to remove dead trees around Borough schools.
Bark beetles. Bark beetle management guidebook. B.C. Ministry of Forests,
Forest Practices Code, October 1995.
Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey & NAPIS' page on Spruce Bark Beetle
Ips typographus. General facts. Fact sheet. Trap & lure sources. Reported
surveys.
Index based toxicology and environmental chemistry information about
pesticides.
A knowledge based decision support system for spruce bark beetle
management, developed by Pacific Northwest Research Station and forest
Health Management, AK Region. Sbexpert 2.0, software can be
downloaded; is MS Windows application.