What’s Killing the Great Forests of the West?

[AlpineK]

Once most of the pines are dead the beetles will start to decline. MPB is far from the only human aggravated tree death and decline.

 

Emrald Ash Borer

 

Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, is an exotic beetle that was discovered in southeastern Michigan near Detroit in the summer of 2002. The adult beetles nibble on ash foliage but cause little damage. The larvae (the immature stage) feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients. Emerald ash borer probably arrived in the United States on solid wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes originating in its native Asia.

 

There are native Oregon white ash and lots of planted city trees, but transporting timber/firewood or a few shipping pallets can really fuck shit up. We'll be hearing more about EAB in the near future.

 

 

Then there is the classic

 

Dutch Elm Disease

 

DED Origins

Scientists believe that the fungus that causes DED originally came from the Himalayas. It travelled to Europe from the Dutch East Indies in the late 1800’s. In the 1930’s, the disease spread to North America on wooden crates made with infected elm wood.

 

Right now DED is present in the NW. The first signs of spread to the NW occurred in the 90s. Control is possible, but involves regular injections and selection of new cultivars of elms resistant to the fungus.

 

Going back further in time

 

American Chestnut

 

Once an important hardwood timber tree, the American Chestnut is highly susceptible to chestnut blight, caused by an Asian bark fungus (Cryphonectria parasitica, formerly Endothia parasitica) accidentally introduced into North America on imported Asiatic chestnut trees. The disease was first noticed on American Chestnut trees in the Bronx Zoo in 1904. While Chinese Chestnuts evolved with the blight and developed a strong resistance, the airborne bark fungus spread 50 miles a year and in a few decades girdled and killed up to three billion American Chestnut trees.

 

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Humans sure have a talent at screwing things up. I'm sure Exxon-Mobile, Sarah Palin, and Rush Limbaugh disagree of course.