City to remove 1,000 infested trees

CASTANET:
Some 1,000 pine trees in Kelowna will be facing the axe this year. The pine beetle infested trees will be removed from city parks to stop the beetle’s spread and remove tree hazards. Blair Stewart, Urban Forest Health technician, says they are continuing to see the advance of mountain pine beetle. "There are approximately 600,000 Ponderosa pine trees within the city and the province is expecting that we could lose up to 80 per cent of those over the next five to eight years," says Stewart. He says twelve locations have been targeted for removal of 985 infested trees, including Knox Mountain, Dilworth Mountain and Mission Ridge parks. “In 2008, the City removed approximately 1,200 beetle infested trees and replanted 3,000 seedlings in affected areas. The public is asked to stay out of areas where crews are working.” Stewart says only infested and dead trees will be removed.

“Infested Ponderosa pine at this time of the year may appear to be green and healthy and show very little sign of attack. Infested trees have been marked with paint or flagging tape.” He says the cost of removing the trees and other fuel modification projects slated for 2009 will be offset by funding of $180,000 from the federal government and $307,000 from the provincial government. “In addition to the larger parks, trees will also be removed from Blair Pond, Carney, Rutland Lions, Terrace Hill and Vernon Creek Linear parks, the Glenmore landfill, drainage runoff next to 5408 Lakeshore Road and properties at 4075 Jean Road and 890 Paret Road.” An open house is being held February 11 at Mission Creek Park for residents with questions about the City’s pine beetle removal plans. The open house runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Environmental Education Centre.