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.

Pine Beetle continuing to attack

by Wayne Moore -8 Mar 17, 2008 CASTANET

The Mountain Pine Beetle continues to be the biggest threat to forests, parks and private property throughout the Central Okanagan. That is the conclusion of a report prepared for Kelowna City Council. Urban Forestry Supervision, Ian Wilson, says the latest estimates indicate about 500,000 ponderosa pine trees will be lost as a result of the beetle by 2013. "Cooler summer weather in 2007 helped to delay the MPB flight and reduce the severity of attack," says Wilson. "Over the winter, however, parks crews identified more than 500 infested trees on city property that have now been removed from a dozen sites throughout Kelowna." Wilson says the largest concentration of attacks were found at Dilworth Mountain, Knox Mountain and Mission Ridge parks, as well as some private properties in the Mission and along Kelowna's lakeshore. In 2007, the City received approximately $400,000 in funding from Service Canada along with $188,000 through the Union of B.C. Municipalities to assist with pine beetle control, fuel modification and disposal of infested wood from private properties. Wilson says more funding will be applied for through Service Canada and both senior levels of government for 2008. "As the pine beetle outbreak progresses, it will be necessary to increase tree removal and logging activities on public lands in order to remove hazards. Rehabilitation activities are currently underway in affected areas, and will need to be expanded accordingly." He says about 9,500 seedlings have been ordered for planting in Spring of 2009. More will be ordered as required.

Enderby harvests beetle kill

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - November 30, 2007

An Enderby park will be clearcut to minimize the impact of western pine beetle. About 25 to 30 mature ponderosa pines will soon be chopped down in Riverside Park because they have been infested by the insect. “The foliage may be green now but by next summer, they will be red and dead,” said Herman Halvorson, a director with the Enderby/Area F Services Committee.In a weakened state, the trees could fall over.“The real concern is about trees coming down when people are in there,” said Dee Wejr, committee chairman.Beyond the potential risk to people, structures within Riverside Park are also under threat.During a recent storm, one tree toppled over, causing substantial damage to a storage shed.“There is also one big pine leaning over the gazebo,” said Halvorson.“There are also a few trees pointing towards the arena.” The committee has commissioned members of the Enderby Lions Club to cut down the trees and remove the debris. Much of the wood will be sold to support Lions’ projects, but some of the revenue will also help purchase new trees for the park. But it will take some time for the new trees to fill in the space vacated by the beetle-infested ponderosa pines.The emptiness of the park is something Wejr is not looking forward to.“It’s going to be rather devastating at first, but I’d hate to see anyone get hurt,” she said of the need to remove the trees.Halvorson also firmly stands behind the committee’s decision.“It’s better to be proactive than inactive,” he said.Along with the ponderosa pines, the Lions will also get rid of any birch trees deemed to be in poor condition.

Big beetle-kill burn planned

By Ron Seymour November 30, 2007 Kelowna Courier

Pine trees cut from more than 70 acres of beetle-killed forest will soon be burned off in Lake Country. Town council has given special authorization for the burning after being asked to do so by fire Chief Steve Windsor. “We‘re in the burning season, so I could have given approval myself. But it‘s such a large volume of wood, I wanted to make council aware of what‘s happening,” Windsor said Thursday. The infected trees have already been cut from about eight different properties of varying size in Carr‘s Landing, the northwest area of Lake Country bordering Okanagan Lake. Cut trees are stacked in burn-ready piles measuring about 25 metres by 25 metres. Under terms of the burning permit, the debris wood can only be ignited when the venting index – a measurement of wind speed and air temperature – is considered ideal for the quickest-possible dispersal of smoke. “If we can get three days in a row with a good venting index, I think all the wood could be burned off without too much smoke staying around in the atmosphere,” Lake Country Mayor James Baker said. The option of chipping and hauling the debris to the landfill was rejected as impractical because of the cost involved in processing such a large volume of waste wood in that manner, Baker said. The swath of diseased trees in Carr‘s Landing is one of the biggest patches of forest near an urban area in the Central Okanagan to be hit so far by the beetle. Across the Okanagan-Shuswap region, the total area of forest infested by the beetle jumped from 294,000 acres in 2006 to 500,000 acres this year, Jim Snetsinger, chief forester for the Ministry of Forests said in September. The large scale removal of trees from the Carr‘s Landing hillsides likely foreshadows what will happen elsewhere in the Central Okanagan as the beetle spreads toward anticipated peak levels next year. “This is our first big infestation in Lake Country,” Windsor said, “but there‘s more of this on the way.”

Curtain Burner On The Way (KELOWNA)

Reposted as Council was looking for staff report on the purchase of this type of equipment.

Castanet by Wayne Moore - Story: 28173March 30, 2007

The Regional District of the Central Okanagan has found a better way to dispose of beetle infested trees and wood debris from regional parks. The Regional District Board will apply to the Union of B.C. Municipalities for funding to purchase an air curtain burner. The devise will allow the district to dispose of materials in an environmentally safe manner. Regional District Communications Officer, Bruce Smith, says a test of a curtain burner a year ago proved to be very successful. "We had a UBCM grant to help fund a curtain burner when it was here for two months early in 2006 when we were disposing of beetle infested timber from Mission Creek Regional Park," says Smith. He says the air curtain burner, which basically prevents gasses, smoke and other particles from getting into the air, comes with a price-tag between $100,000 and $150,0000. "We've seen how effective they are and we know the demand for service is going to increase in the future, not only with the pine beetle threat, but in the disposal of ground cover and wood debris as we try to make our parks and other properties more fire safe and fire smart." Smith says the UBCM has funding available for such a purchase. In the meantime, the Regional District will use open burning to dispose of about 100 beetle infested trees over the next month when venting and air quality indices permit. The Regional District could take possession of an air curtain burner later this year.

Okanagan mayors meet to consider secondary suites.

By John MoorhouseFriday, June 15, 2007 http://www.pentictonherald.ca/stories.php?id=49213

While Penticton city council looks towards legalizing secondary suites as a way to reduce the affordable housing crunch, the nuts and bolts of any pending legislation are coming under review. Mayor Jake Kimberley said Thursday the secondary suites issue was discussed in detail at a joint meeting of the mayors of the Okanagan‘s three largest cities in Vernon this week. Many municipalities, including Vernon and Kelowna, have concerns about how to implement and enforce secondary suite legislation. Kimberley expects council to make a decision on whether city staff should prepare a report on the issue within two or three months. “I‘ve asked for that to be pushed through and brought to the table again because it‘s time we dealt with it, because of the situation we‘re in,” he said. “It‘s scary for anybody trying to find a home when these things happen, such as the Wilson Place fire.” The apartment vacancy rate in Penticton dipped to 0.5 per cent in April, equivalent to one vacancy for every 200 apartments in the city. The mayor said it must be determined whether a secondary suite application should be treated like a rezoning and involve a council decision with neighbourhood input, or if it should be handled strictly by city staff. Other questions to be answered include how many secondary suites should be permitted in a neighbourhood and whether it should be mandatory for landlords to live in the same home that includes a secondary suite. “If the owner of the house stays in the house and looks after the property, then there‘s more security that the tenants in the secondary suite will be properly administered – versus an absentee landlord where things could get a little out of control in the neighbourhood,” Kimberley said. Increased traffic through single family neighbourhoods is another concern. Meanwhile, the three Valley mayors agreed this week on the need for senior government funding to assist residents in the removal of pine beetle infested trees. A comprehensive transportation plan involving commuter traffic between the three municipalities was also discussed.
----------------------------
City of Vernon Public Notice:Posted: June 15, 2007
Valley Mayors Meet http://www.vernon.ca/news/index.html

Mayor Sharon Shepherd of Kelowna, Mayor Jake Kimberley of Penticton and Mayor Wayne Lippert of Vernon, along with the three City Administrators, participated in a three hour meeting at Vernon City Hall on Tuesday, June 12th, 2007 where they shared information on issues of mutual interest to all valley communities. Topics included sustainability and climate change, Regional Transit, Pine Beetle infestation and the single Business Licence initiative proposed by the Ministry of Small Business and Revenue.The three Mayors agreed that they would investigate initiatives that the three municipalities could work together regarding Okanagan sustainability and climate change priorities. Mayors Shepherd, Kimberley and Lippert also agreed on the need for funding from senior government to assist valley residents in the removal of pine beetle infested trees.

The three Mayors will keep each other updated on discussions with senior levels of government in this regard.A discussion was held on the comprehensive transportation plan being conducted by the Cities of Vernon and Kelowna in partnership with the Regional Districts of North Okanagan and Central Okanagan, with the Mayors agreeing for the need to explore strategies to deal with commuter traffic between the three municipalities.“It is extremely beneficial to our communities for the Mayors of Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton to meet and discuss issues of mutual interest. ” commented Mayor Lippert. “All three municipalities face many of the same issues and through meetings such as this; we can share our experiences and work towards solutions.”
------------------------------
Don Quixote Note: Same meeting but apparently Pentiction focused on the secondary suites issue which was was discussed in detail. (According to Pentiction media report). Meanwhile the City of Vernon press release does not mention that this secondary suite issue was even on the agenda. ?

Pine beetle plan frustrates city councillor

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star StaffJun 01 2007 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/

A Vernon politician is increasingly frustrated that enough isn’t being done to slow the spread of pine beetle. Coun. Pat Cochrane is increasingly of the view that the city has given up trying to save ponderosa pines, especially on private property. “I still have the impression that we’re doing way too little, too late,” he said during Monday’s council meeting. Council supported a staff recommendation that the city not launch a job creation program that would remove infected trees and dispose of them. A certified arborist had urged council two weeks ago that the federally funded program would help slow the infestation. The arborist had suggested the program could cost the city about $700 a day for 12 to 15 workers. Such a program has been in place in Kelowna for the last three years.

Vernon city staff is suggesting that such an initiative could be funded in 2008 but Cochrane fears that may be too late. “We’ve accepted that they’ll be killed by beetles and next year we’ll help dispose of the trees,” he said. On Monday, council also agreed to spend $5,000 on an advertising campaign so residents have information about the pine beetle and what action they can take personally. But Coun. Barry Beardsell questioned how effective the expenditure will be. “I can’t see advertising on radio or in the newspaper doing anything unless an emergency arises,” he said.

Arborist urges action on Vernon’s pines

By Jordan Nicurity http://vernon.ok.bc.ca/stories.php?id=43788

If the number of trees infected with mountain pine beetle that were cut down and removed from the Vernon area in the last three months are any indication, the next outbreak of the small wood boring bug could see trees killed on a scale similar to the Kamloops infestation. “We‘ve removed 27 infested trees in the last three months and we‘re still going seven days a week,” said arbourist Pat Davies, addressing council yesterday. The beetle, which bores into trees and eats the nutrient rich loam between the bark and the wood, kills trees almost instantly. “As soon as the beetle is in there, the tree is dead, there is nothing that can be done,” said Davies. Davies was before council to propose a solution which would employ 12 to 15 people removing infected trees from residential Vernon properties. The program would cost approximately $700 per day. A similar program in Kelowna has already removed over 22,000 kilograms of wood infected with the beetle. Davies noted that having dead trees infected with pine beetles on a property was a huge liability to home owners as the trees often broke off about one metre above ground. Some insurance companies were refusing to look at claims involving pine beetle infected trees, Davies said. Council agreed to look at how the issue could best be dealt with and Coun. Pat Cochrane suggested that the issue be fast tracked. The city is looking at a partnership with Service Canada to help combat the problem. Public education regarding the pine beetle was also a concern of Davies, who felt that more needed to be done to inform people of the menace the beetles caused. The City of Vernon website has information on the signs of a pine beetle infestation and what residents can do to try and prevent their trees from being attacked. Visit www.vernon.ca and look for the pine beetle information sheet in the city news section.

District provides trees

By Jennifer Dyck Morning Star StaffApr 27 2007 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/

Coldstream is addressing the pine beetle panic by giving away free trees. Residents in the district will be able to pick up free tree seedlings at the municipal office Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. The pine and other varieties of seedlings, provided by the Ministry of Forests, are being offered as a solution to life after the beetle’s destruction, but also as a way of growing a greener community. “Everybody’s in this panic that we’re going to lose all these trees,” said Coun. Jim Garlick, who has initiated the seedling giveaway day. “But probably what we’ve neglected to do is plant trees over the years.”

Along replenishing the tree population, the initiative has a beautifying effect. “You look up at places like Middleton Mountain and they could use some trees,” said Garlick. “You’ll lose some of your view but it will create shade and it will look better for the community.” There is a maximum of 30 seedlings per resident, on a first come, first serve basis. The seedlings should be planted in people’s gardens to begin with and moved once they have grown and matured. Garlick is hopeful that this initiative won’t be the last. “Maybe we can do this in the future regularly.”

Pine Beetle Work Begins

Castanet by Ron Manz - CKOV - Story: 28715April 13, 2007

The removal of pine beetle infested trees from Mission Creek Regional Park began yesteday. Any wood debris that can't be sold, will be chipped and hauled to Tolko's cogeneration plant to be used as hog fuel instead of being burned in the park as was originally planned. The work will be stopped this weekend though so it doesn't interfere with Family Environment Day activities planned for Sunday. Approximately 100 infested trees are being removed.

B.C. Parks cutting risks at Kal park

By Staff Friday, April 6, 2007 Kelowna Daily Courier

B.C. Parks will be cutting down dead and diseased trees Tuesday in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park near Vernon. Public access will be restricted in some areas of the park. Forest management in the park is required to reduce safety hazards as a result of the western pine beetle, and for the removal of forest fuels to reduce the risk of wildfires. Management actions will include the felling and burning of dead and dying hazard trees and bark beetle-infested ponderosa pine along trails, near parking lots and in day-use areas. In an attempt to preserve several of the larger ponderosa pine trees from beetle infestation in high-use areas, B.C. Parks will also carry out single-tree protection efforts on selected trees. The total cost for the forest management project is $15,000.

B.C. Parks will also conduct fuel management activities in other parks in the Okanagan, including Fintry and Ellison provincial parks and the White Lake grasslands protected area. The total cost for the forest management projects at Ellison and Fintry $160,000. Fuel-reduction programs are required to decrease the risk of wildfire to communities and developments adjacent to parks and to prevent damage to park ecosystems from high-intensity fires.

Pine rescue efforts grow

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star StaffMar 30 2007 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/

A Vernon neighbourhood has united in the fight against the voracious western pine beetle. Six properties in the 2600 block of 24th Avenue have hired crews to wrap ponderosa pines in an attempt to save the trees, some of which are about 300 years old. “Our trees are precious and everything will change once they are gone,” said resident Gary Deleenheer. That view is shared by Janice Clements. I bought the house because it’s surrounded by pines,” she said. “The idea of what the place could look like is depressing.” The neighbourhood decided to take collective action after an arborist investigated the area and it was discovered some trees had already been infested. In the case of Brian Quiring, he had to cut down 17 trees on his lot. It’s anticipated other trees will be lost, but the goal is to save as many as possible.

“There’s no 100 per cent cure for this but we’re trying what we know,” said Ultimate Logging’s Pete Tovani, who has been contracted to do the work. Fiberglass mesh is wrapped around each tree to about 30 feet in height. It is secured in place with stainless steel staples. The rush is on as the beetles could start flying in May, spreading even further through the area. “The clock is ticking,” said Tovani. Beyond mesh, the neighbours will also use pheromone packages to try and disrupt the beetles’ habits. About three treatments of pheromones will be required per tree for three or four years. “It could be an ongoing thing for a few years,” said Deleenheer. It will cost about $200 per tree to try and save them, but Deleenheer points out that is considerably less than removing dead trees.

But while the neighbours have taken a co-operative approach, there is concern the beetles could take root in a number of trees on a Ministry of Transportation right-of-way. “They don’t want to do anything about it. We’re going to put pressure on them,” said Deleenheer. And because beetles don’t recognize boundaries, the residents are hoping the city may provide financial assistance to save trees on both private and public lands.“They cold help out, even if it’s just to buy the materials,” said Deleenheer. Tovani is urging other residents in Vernon to prepare for the beetle epidemic. “It’s not a case if they hit, it’s when they get hit,” he said.

Councillor questions beetle fight

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star StaffMar 28 2007 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/

A Vernon politician questions why the fight against western pine beetle doesn’t include private property. Coun. Pat Cochrane is concerned the city is only focused on trying to save ponderosa pines on public land while those on private property will be ignored. “Every tree we save is a benefit to the property owners and the community,” he said. The city recently earmarked $62,000 to try and preserve pines on public land, including the cemetery. There has not been a decision on whether funding will be available to residents to save their trees, although the issue is being reviewed by the finance committee. But Cochrane says now is the time for a decision. “It seems like we are on a tight timeline and to bring something back at a future date is too late,” he said.

Cochrane would like to see money available to residents to purchase netting that can be placed on their trees. “But there’s not a will from council to go in that direction.” One thing the city is pursuing is a federal government grant so unemployed individuals could be hired to remove wood that has been chopped down by residents. For Cochrane, that means the city has given up on private trees. “We’re going into the end-result of the kill,” he said of cleaning up debris.
While Coun. Buffy Baumbrough isn’t sure if there should be financial assistance, she wants to take the battle against the beetle to private property. “I don’t want to just stop with heritage trees on public property,” she said. “There is a need for public education and information going out to people about what their options are.” The city is currently working on a brochure that would provide residents with information on how to confront the western pine beetle.

---------------------------------

Mar 28 2007 EDITORIAL Beetle strategy missing focus

The City of Vernon deserves credit for launching the battle against western pine beetle, but it’s obvious that it’s not doing everything possible. That fact was raised by Coun. Pat Cochrane Monday. Cochrane is concerned that while the city is spending $62,000 to try and save ponderosa pines on public property, it is completely ignoring private land. “Every tree we save is a benefit to the property owners and the community,” he said. And with beetles not worried about surveyor’s posts, efforts to protect public trees could be a complete waste of money if infested trees on private land surround them. The finance committee has been handed the task of looking at possible assistance for land owners, but with the beetles set to take flight this spring, time is running out. The urgency of the situation required a decision on private land when the council allotted money to public trees a few weeks ago.

The assistance should come in the form of netting residents can wrap around trees, as well as an intensive campaign that makes the public aware of the beetle epidemic and what they can do to safeguard trees that are a vital part of our community. Instead of being at the top of the list, providing residents help to get rid of dead trees should be the last resort. And calls from Councillors Buffy Baumbrough and Barry Beardsell for a regional approach must be taken seriously. Like private property, there is no point in the city spending money on beetle control if Coldstream, the regional district and other jurisdictions are doing nothing. It’s time the City of Vernon developed a comprehensive strategy instead of the current half-measures.

Kicked to the curb

By MARKUS ERMISCHStaff reporterMar 23 2007 http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/

Wait-list full for city removal of beetle-kill pine trees. When Allan Stradeski called the city’s pine-beetle hotline Monday to arrange for the pickup of tree debris he had left curbside, he was surprised by the response from the other end. The Dufferin resident was told by the city that it is no longer guaranteeing the collection of beetle-kill debris because about 150 people are on a waiting list, enough to keep crews busy until the curbside pickup program ends May 25. Stradeski was even more surprised when, on Tuesday, he heard a radio advertisement promoting the program. Rather than run such misleading ads, Stradeski said the city should inform residents the program is fully booked until the end of May and unable to guarantee the collection of wood debris. Just before calling the hotline to arrange for a pickup date, Stradeski had felled three ponderosa pines on his properties.

The wood from the trunks he’ll use for firewood. The branches, however, are piled up by the curb. Now, he’ll have to haul them to the drop-off site himself. Stradeski said this is not a problem — he owns a truck and a trailer — but noted he was bothered by the fact the city had failed to inform residents the program is fully booked. Despite the communication glitch, Stradeski said the program is an “excellent idea” because “having the curbside pickup certainly helped keep the cost down for homeowners.” The curbside pickup scheme, implemented last December with funding from the City of Kamloops and the federal government, is co-ordinated by Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC). CFDC’s Shirley Culver said the wait-lists were implemented about 10 days ago.

Once the program ends in May, she said about 290 Kamloops households will have been helped removing debris from more than 1,500 trees. Originally, CFDC had estimated that 1,260 trees would be removed. According to city estimates, pine beetles have infested about 22,000 ponderosa pines on private land in Kamloops. Culver said feedback from the community about the program has invariably been positive. Pending approval of another application for $230,000 in federal funds, the curbside program will resume in September. City council agreed in February to include $200,000 in this year’s budget to continue the program in the fall. Culver said people who did not make the wait-lists should remove tree debris themselves to prevent fire hazards.

Homeowners needn't surrender trees to pine beetle

By Chuck PoulsenSunday, March 18, 2007 http://www.pentictonherald.ca/article_3252.php

Homeowners will have access to three readily available means of defending their trees against pine beetles this year: the pesticide carbaryl, the pheromone Verbenone and fibreglass screening.For the first time, Verbenone pouches will be available in garden and home improvement stores.For those who want to use carbaryl, a Fraser Valley tree service expects to have a team set up in the Okanagan in a month.Tech Mist Spray Solutions will offer several services to homeowners, including the use of carbaryl (also sold under the name Sevin, among other brands). Previously, Okanagan Tree and Lawn Care was thought to be the only company offering the carbaryl treatment here.

Companies expect a huge surge in demand from homeowners because of doomsday predictions for pines in this area. Experts say the western and mountain pine beetles are about to wipe out 75-90 per cent of pines in the Valley’s forests.“Carbaryl is not practical for stands of forests, but it will do the job for homeowners who have trees on their property they want to save,” said Carson Tse of Okanagan Tree and Lawn Care.Leia Toovey of Tech Mist said field tests show that the Okanagan will have pine beetle flights beginning in late May this year.“The winter has been so mild that the larvae are further developed than normal and showing signs of early flight,” she said.Tech Mist and Okanagan Tree and Lawn Care offer integrated measures, which also include the Verbenone pouches and nutrient root injections to keep trees healthier as the bugs invade.Prices for the homeowner depend on the size and number of trees, and on whether it’s best to go with the Verbenone, carbaryl or only nutrients.

However, $50 per tree is a rough average for carbaryl treatment.It can cost as much $1,200 to have a big tree removed, although the average cost would probably be no more than half of that.There are costs beyond that, says Richard Drinnan, a Valley environmental consultant.“The cost of tree replacement, annual tending, loss of shade and noise attenuation, reduced greenhouse gas consumption, increased human health costs from smoke pollution and loss of property values will conservatively add $2,000 to the costs of removing each dead tree,” said Drinnan.The pine beetle problem is “really just starting in the Okanagan,” said Lorraine Maclaughlin of the B.C. Ministry of Forests.“The western pine beetle problem you have here now is just a taste of what you’ll get when the mountain pine beetle starts blowing in huge masses,” she warned.

The Okanagan started to see western pine beetle damage in lodgepole and ponderosa pine stands in 2004 after the Okanagan Mountain Park fire.The mountain pine beetle is a much more voracious bug that has already decimated forests from Prince George to Kamloops. It was spotted in some pines in the Okanagan last year, a sure sign that the Valley is next on its eating binge. Phero Tech of Delta is now setting up accounts with stores in the Okanagan to sell Verbenone pouches.When beetles attack a tree, they put out a pheromone to attract their friends and alert them that a big meal is in store. When they run out of space in a tree, they produce a different pheromone — Verbenone-like — to tell other beetles to stay away.The cost of the Verbenone depends on how many trees need to be treated with the pouches and their distance apart.The pouches will sell for about $17 each.Phero Tech’s Leonard Meltzer said that whether it’s one tree or a stand of trees, protection is needed from four sides.He said tests on healthy trees in the area of the Kelowna fire found that Verbenone is 99.98 per cent effective.However, tests done in East Kelowna and Kamloops last year indicate far less success.Carbaryl spraying can start as early as mid-April this year and continue until the end of June.“It’s pretty effective, if done properly,” said Tse.He said the carbaryl will probably need to be applied annually. However it’s expected the beetle onslaught will be in decline by 2013 as the bugs satiate their appetites with the last of the pines in the Valley forests.

Tse said the Sevin bought in garden stores is a weaker blend of what he is using. The crevices in the bark need to be soaked with the solution, up to two-thirds the height of a tree. That could be 20 metres up on a big tree.“The homeowner probably isn’t going to be able to do that,” said Tse. “It’s not a mist spray. It’s ‘pinned’ like a sheet of glass covering the tree trunk.”He said professional spray units are designed to minimize over-spraying onto surrounding property.Tse says it may not cost any more for a homeowner to have a service such as his do the job than for the handyman to attempt it on his own. The proper process requires a large amount of solution, and contractors are able to buy the chemical at a much lower cost than half-litre bottles sold in a garden store.

The City of Kelowna is using a third method: wrapping the trunks in fibreglass screening that will keep the bugs out. Crews have wrapped 200 ponderosa pines in parks.Even with that, the city’s urban forester is not optimistic.“This is one of our last few options that seem to have hope,” said Ian Wilson. “The outlook is pretty bleak.”Okanagan cities are not using pesticides.The pesticide treatment, although effective and approved by Environment Canada, is controversial. Okanagan cities have been reluctant to use it because of environmental fears and have only recently acknowledged its value in fighting the bugs.

A report from the Entomology Society of America, reviewing 30 years of carbaryl use, finds it effective and relatively safe:“Because carbaryl is much safer than most pesticides, it can be registered at higher concentrations, and because of its low cost, it remains a good choice for control purposes.“There is little likelihood of any adverse effects when applied according to label.”One study the society reviewed from Colorado found carbaryl to be “100 per cent effective in preventing attack.”The literature says carbaryl is effective for two years, but Tse says more recent experience suggests it be done every year, especially if people are watering lawns around the trees and water splashes on the bark.None of this is a science on which all agree.Mark Fercho, environment manager for Prince George, said nothing available assures success.“Unless you protect the tree canopy against waves of beetles dropping from above, there’s no guarantee you can protect them,” he said.

Expert recommends screening to protect favourite tree

By Chuck PoulsenSunday, March 18, 2007, http://www.dailycourier.ca/article_1046.php

If you have one special pine tree you’d like to save — and a limited amount of money to spend on it — which of the three most common defence options is your best bet against the pine beetle? That question was put to Joan Westfall, a registered forestry consultant for the past 20 years, from Entopath in Kamloops. She said homeowners should consider using all three options: Verbenone pouches, carbaryl pesticide spray and fibreglass screens around the trunk, if the price of the combination isn’t too high.If money is a consideration, she said she is partial toward the screening, but carbaryl would be her choice if conditions weren’t right for screens.“If I had a tree I really loved and I could only use one (method), I guess I’d go for the screening,” she said. “The exception is that if you have branches low down. They have to be cut, and that weakens the tree.“If it has a lot of branches, I’d spray with the carbaryl.”

Verbenone pheromone pouches are designed to stop mountain pine beetles. Its manufacturer, Phero Tech, believes they will work on western beetles, too, but Westfall doesn’t think they are effective against massive attacks of either.“I definitely would not say Verbenone is a sure-fired solution,” said Westfall. “The tests we did with Verbenone and a couple of extra components to combat the western pine beetle seemed to work well at low population number.“But in Kamloops, half the trees treated with Verbenone got attacked. That was virtually no different than the ones that weren’t treated.“In Kamloops, a lot of people lost trees that were treated with Verbenone,” she said, “and we had a combination of mountain and western pine beetle.”

She said nothing is foolproof, including carbaryl.“There’s nothing out there that is a golden bullet,” she said.Even the screening on a branchless trunk is not a guarantee. If a tear develops or the caulking in the screen is not perfect, it can’t be guaranteed to work, she said.Westfall warned that carbaryl can hurt useful insects, too, so it must by applied carefully by a professional. If the pH level of the water isn’t right, that can also reduce effectiveness.“There are all kinds of tricky things with it,” she said.

Pine Beetle Information Sheet

City of Vernon Info Sheet (Click on image to enlarge)

General Information The Okanagan is currently facing an outbreak of Western Pine Beetle. If you have Ponderosa Pine Trees on your property, please check for the following signs of beetle attack: 1. The tree has turned yellow or red. Note that it may take months before an attacked tree changes colour. 2. Stripped bark due to woodpeckers 3. A regular pattern of holes where the beetles have entered the tree bark. Pitch or sawdust may be visible at these holes

If you suspect that a tree has been attacked, you may carefully peel some of the layers of bark away with a hatchet to look for beetles or grubs. Beetles create a series of tunnels inside the bark of attacked trees. Eventually the wood becomes stained blue due to a fungus. Infected trees need to be removed. Tree mortality can occur very rapidly so early detection of infested trees is key to minimizing damage and spreading of the beetle. Monitor your trees periodically throughout the year. Every infested tree that is removed can help save many other trees on your property and in your neighborhood. Prevention Pine beetles prefer to attack weakened trees but will attack healthy trees during an outbreak. Keep your trees healthy by avoiding heavy pruning, root or trunk damage or placing fill over the root zone. Some supplemental watering of trees during hot summer months may also help. The City of Vernon is attempting to protect significant trees on City property using a combination of the following methods:

1. Wrapping: This method involves wrapping the first 30 feet of a tree’s trunk with plastic mesh window screening to create a physical barrier between the trunk and the beetle.

2. Repellent: This method of beetle control involves attaching repellent pouches (verbenone) onto high risk trees.

Although neither method is guaranteed to be effective local tree maintenance companies are familiar with these methods and can assist you with an evaluation of your trees and help determine if these methods are suitable for your situation. The most effective method of Pine Beetle control is the removal and disposal of infested trees. Beetle infested trees can not be used for firewood, transported or stored for any length of time unless they are debarked. Infested bark should be chipped or buried to ensure adults and larvae are destroyed. For further information please contact City Operations at 549-6757

Will Wrapping of Pine Trees work ?

Pictures below are from trees at Kal Lake Park. Note how high the debarking goes on those trees. Woodpeckers chip away on the bark to get to the larvae of the pine beetle. The debarking indicates how high these beetles attack the tree.

Pine beetle damage closes Woodhaven nature park

By Dorothy BrothertonTuesday, March 13, http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/stories.php?id=19986

Woodhaven Nature Conservancy is officially closed, and it‘s the tiny pine beetle that swung the axe. The popular regional park on Raymer Road may be the first of many to be felled by beetle infestation, which has created too many dead and dying trees, said forest health consultant Bruce Blackwell in a report to the Central Okanagan regional district. “Woodhaven is in really bad shape,” said Blackwell. In 10-15 years, widespread forest mortality can be expected due to beetles, other insects, diseases and drought, Blackwell warned. He spared no words in describing the dire situation. “It will dramatically alter the forested landscape of the Okanagan.” He predicts more parks will close and the worst is yet to come. The Okanagan can expect the same kind of plague that hit Prince George, with 90-100 per cent of pine forests being destroyed.

Debris disposal in the Okanagan will become a huge problem in the next two to three years and will likely never be completely cleaned up. Blackwell‘s recommendations included a new forest management philosophy. The Okanagan should apply now for funding for beetle treatments and wildfire protection programs through the Union of B.C. Municipalities, he said. Overseas markets should be pursued for beetle-salvaged logs and chips. Besides debris disposal, the region should plan for restoration and regeneration of the infested areas, Blackwell said. Provincial stumpage rules have stymied quick removal of beetle-damaged trees. Lake Country Mayor James Baker said it takes about two years to issue a cutting licence. Blackwell agreed, saying, “The process needs to be streamlined.” He admitted the province can‘t be seen to be altering stumpage because that could jeopardize the softwood lumber agreement with the United States. He urged co-operation among the city, regional district, First Nations, B.C. Parks, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Forests to come up with strategies. Bill Vos of CORD‘s parks department confirmed cleanup is going on in Woodhaven, but with no date for completion. Staff are working on preparing a five-year financial plan.

KISS FM NEWS SHORTS

(Pete McIntyre) http://www.1075kiss.com/news/headlines/

DVA Seeks Cash From Council

The Downtown Vernon Association is seeking city funding to keep its security patrols going to the end of the year. President Malcom Dunn appeared before city council Monday to ask for 40-thousand dollars. While some council members feel the city is already paying for policing and more bylaw officers,Dunn says their members feel more could be done,'We have 800 members paying taxes. We having parking revenues coming out of the downtown core and other things. There's an expectation that there's a minimum safety requirement in the downtown core.' The city will discuss the request at its next meeting. Councillor Juliette Cunningham, who owns a downtown business, feels the DVA has created a sense of hysteria in the downtown, and says the crime problems are more perception than reality.

City Will Pay to Battle the Beetle .(Pete McIntyre)
The city of Vernon will spend 62-thousand dollars to protect its trees from the pine beetle.
City council approved that motion about a month before the destructive bugs are expected to fly into Vernon. About a thousand ponderosa pines on city owned sites will have their trunks wrapped in windowscreening, or affixed with repellent. Most of the trees are located in the cemetery. Barry Beardsell was the lone council member against the move, feeling it won't work,'Yah, I think they're throwing money in the wind. I think they should get more involved the way the city of Kelowna did when they did it last year and have an effective program rather than running up to the cemetery and wrapping a bunch of trees right away.' Although the bugs could still damage the trees, Councillor Patrick Nicol feels the measures will work, noting they're based on recommendations by Dr Mike Carlson, from the BC Forest Service.