Protection Of High Value Trees And Hazard Mitigation Projects Continue In 2015

Bark beetles continue to be active in conifer trees within Rocky Mountain National Park. The park's priorities for mitigation of the effects of beetles are focused on removing hazard trees and hazard fuels related to the protection of life and property. For several years, Rocky Mountain National Park has had a proactive bark beetle management program. In recent years, bark beetles have been considered at outbreak levels throughout the park. In 2015, the park will continue its mitigation efforts, including applying insecticide, removing hazard trees, prescribed burns, utilizing an air curtain burner, pheromone treatments and implementing temporary closures in a variety of park locations.

Starting in mid-April and ending by Memorial Day weekend, the park is planning to apply a Carbaryl based insecticide to up to 2,750 high-value trees to protect them from bark beetles. Treatment will occur in the following developed areas of the park: Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and Headquarters, Moraine Park Discovery Center, Aspenglen Campground, Moraine Park Campground, Bighorn Ranger Station, McGraw Ranch, and the east side park service housing areas.

Last year, more than 6,000 trees were treated and nearly all of these trees were protected from attack by bark beetles. Treatment sites have been reduced on the east side of the park as infestation rates decrease in forests adjacent to high value trees. Insecticide will be applied from the ground and sprayed onto individual trees to repel beetle attacks. Temporary closures to the public and employees will be in effect during spraying operations.

The park is also treating up to 300 high value limber pine trees with verbenone pheromone packets to minimize infestation from bark beetles. Limber pine trees in the park are currently at risk of mountain pine beetle infestation and infection from white pine blister rust, a lethal non-native invasive disease. Research is being conducted to identify if any limber pine trees within the park are resistant to white pine blister rust.

Park staff will conduct hazard tree mitigation through tree removal throughout the year. Small scale selective hazard tree removals should be anticipated at trailheads, parking areas, picnic areas, roadside pullouts, road corridors, campgrounds, ranger stations, stables, and visitor centers. Temporary site closures may occur at smaller sites to facilitate safe and efficient operations. More detailed information will be provided on upcoming tree removal projects along Trail Ridge Road. Material disposal will involve piles for future burning and consolidation at designated sites for future use including firewood collection permits. More information on wood utilization will be available in late summer.



Jeff
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