Cutting Strategies as Control Measures of the Mountain Pine Beetle in Lodgepole Pine in Colorado
Document Type
Contribution to Book
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Theory and Practice of Mountain Pind Beetle Management in Lodgepole Pine Forests Symposium
Publication Date
1978
First Page
188
Last Page
191
Abstract
Efforts to suppress mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) epidemics in Colorado have been carried out since the early 1900s using various methods of treating or removing beetle populations. These methods have slowed the rate of annual tree losses, but have done little to reduce total tree mortality over the course of an infestation, or to reduce the susceptibility of the stands to additional beetle attack. Based on recent research findings that demonstrated the importance of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas var. latifolia Englemann) phloem thickness and diameter in mountain pine beetle epidemics, stands in the Middle Park area of Colorado were cut using strategies to reduce stand susceptibility to beetle attack. partial cutting and clearcutting, combined with the logging of infested trees, were used to reduce the inventory of larger-diameter trees. Other factors considered were dwarf mistletoe, comandra rust and visual management concerns. Losses in partial-cut areas have been reduced to 1 to 2 percent of the residual trees, whereas in unmanaged stands 39 percent of the trees have been lost.
Recommended Citation
Cahill, D. (1978). Cutting strategies as control measures of the mountain pine beetle in lodgepole pine in Colorado. In: AA Berryman, GD Amman and RW Stark (eds) Theory and Practice of Mountain Pind Beetle Management in Lodgepole Pine Forests Symposium, pp. 188-191. Forest, Wildlife and Range Experiment Station, University of Idaho, Moscow.
Comments
This item was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain.