Washington Department of Natural Resources posted by:
USDA Forest Service
Pacific Northwest Region

Forest Health Protection



Washington Forest Health Issues in 2003

Washington Forests
General Forest Conditions
Aerial Survey
Overview
Survey Results

Animal and Abiotic
Drought

Fire
Bear Damage

Fir Engraver

Fir engraver beetle is a native bark beetle that attacks and kills, or strip kills, weakened true fir trees.

Almost 300,000 acres of scattered true fir mortality were mapped throughout eastern Washington, up from 82,750 acres in 2002.

Droughty conditions likely precipitated this event. Most of the affected trees were not in the overstory, but larger trees were also affected.

Additional Information

Historical Activity and Drought Correlation

Trees killed by bark beetles

This photo was taken during the 2003 aerial survey northeast of Spokane. The red and yellow trees are recent mortality. The smaller ones are mostly true fir and the larger are ponderosa pine.

 


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