Forest Health

Mountain Pine Beetle Mountain Pine Beetles attack various types of pine trees with ponderosa pines being the most common host. Mountain Pine Beetles are cylindrical, black/dark brown and about ¼ inch long when mature. Mountain Pine Beetles are often attracted to the sap of a damaged tree, but they only attack healthy trees. A fresh attack will appear on trees that are still green. The pitch tubes, which are the point of entry are a soft white/pink. Old attacks will be seen on trees that are yellowing or browning. The old pitch tubes are pink/red and hard. Infestations can be epidemic killing thousands of trees.
	Ips Engraver Beetles Ips Beetles usual attack injured, or recently felled pine trees. Mature Ips Beetles are black to a dark brown/red in color and typically 1/8 inch to 1/5 inch long with 4 to 6 spines on each side. While the Ips Beetles are a strain on their hosts, the blue staining fungi that they carry is often the actual cause of death. An attack is marked by a small red/brown pitch tube (approx size of penny) and residue red/brown boring dust.
Mistletoe Mistletoe is a broad-leafed perennial plant that appears in the tops of trees. The visual presence of mistletoe is the only way to identify this parasite. Mistletoe is spread with the help of animals and birds that disperse seeds in the trees. A sticky sustance on the seeds helps them to adhere to young branches. Upon germination, a root penetrates the tree's vascular system which enables it to extract water and nutrients. The plant has opposite leaves and inconspicuous flowers that produce white to red berries in the fall.