UI Extension to host bark beetle field day

“Bark Beetle Field Day” to be held June 30 in Coeur d’Alene

If you ask anyone in Idaho to name something that kills forest trees, more often than not, they will say “bark beetles.”

Bark beetles have so filled our imaginations that when dead trees are noticed, people often presume they were killed by bark beetles, even though many other organisms often kill trees, to say nothing of trees killed by fire or drought.

But the last two years have brought some very active bark beetle activity in northern Idaho, so on Friday, June 30, the Bark Beetle Field Day will give participants first-hand exposure to major bark beetle species’ biology, less common bark beetles, and ongoing research in managing bark beetles.

The field trip will provide opportunities to examine bark beetles, stand conditions, and silvicultural practices that both increase and reduce tree mortality from bark beetles.

The program meets at 8 a.m. June 30 at the University of Idaho Extension Office in Kootenai County, 1808 N. Third Street in Coeur d’Alene, and will end by 5: p.m.

Those wishing to participate should pre-register at the University of Idaho Extension Office in Kootenai County by Friday, June 23. A $20 registration fee ($22 for online registration with a credit card at uidaho.edu/BarkBeetle) covers resource materials and refreshments.

The program is eligible for six Idaho pesticide recertification credits and eight Idaho Pro-Logger credits. For registration questions, contact the University of Idaho Extension Office in Kootenai County at 208-446-1680.

Registration forms can also be downloaded at http://www.uidaho.edu/extension/forestry.

The program is co-sponsored by University of Idaho Extension and the Idaho Department of Lands.