1. Forest Pests and Diseases near Lewistown, MT Amy Eckert Forest Pathologist

2. Insects 1.Mountain pine beetle : PP, LPP, and WP 2.Red turpentine beetle: PP,LP, and piñon 3.Douglas-fir bark beetle: Douglas-fir 4.Pine engraver beetle (Ips): pines 5.Western spruce budworm: Douglas-fir 6.Bronze birch borer: birch

3. Mountain pine beetle : PP, LPP, and WP Bluestain fungal spores

4. Mountain pine beetle : PP, LPP, and WP Look for small pitch tubes in bark and woodpecker feeding

5. Red turpentine beetle: PP,LP, and piñon Large pitch tubes: Combination of resin, bark dust, and frass

6. Douglas-fir bark beetle: Douglas-fir Look for insect frass or boring dust in bark crevices

7. Best beetle proofing strategy: Recognize high hazard situations and act to reduce potential beetle infestations What forest/tree conditions are most favored by beetles? What forest/tree conditions are most favored by good grass growth and grazing? Why can’t we just spray?

11. Target stand = 80-100 sq. ft basal area 10”tree= 150-180 tpa (16’x16’ = 170 tpa) 12”tree= 100-125 tpa (18’X20’ = 121 tpa)

12. Infects slash and small pine trees. Pine engraver beetle (Ips): pines Look for tiny holes in bark and red boring dust on slash Best ips prevention?

13. Western spruce budworm: D-F, spruce and WL Adult Larvae Eggs Web-like material on branch ends, needles turn brown

14. Best spruce budworm prevention strategy: Enhance budworm predator habitat (birds, carpenter ants) how? Maintain tree health and vigor- how? why? Maintain adequate spacing and reduce thick understory regeneration Plant resistant trees such as pine and larch

15. Bronze birch borer: birch Top kill, branches die from the top down Keep birch healthy and vigorous: use iron enriched fertilizer, water. Prune infected branches.

16. Diseases 1.Aspen cankers and decline 2.White pine blister rust: WP 3.Western gall rust: LP and PP 4.Fire blight: apple species

17. Aspen Trees Cytospora canker of aspen Weak pathogen

18. Aspen Trees Cytospora canker on aspen stem with insect frass. Some insects that are attracted to aspen are: poplar borer, bronze poplar borer, bark beetles, ambrosia beetle. Insect Frass Weak insects

19. White pine blister rust Native or exotic? Ribes

20. Cotoneaster hedge with fire blight infection Peeling bark Canker-like twig discoloration General scorched- like appearance of infected twigs and leaves

21. Fire Blight

22. Western Gall Rust: Lodgepole and Ponderosa Infects young shoots and forms galls on branches, cankers and stems Remove infected trees during thinning. Increase air flow in stand