'Forest Insect & Disease Field Day' announced
Nearly everyone has seen dead trees dotting northern Idaho forests. Most of the trees you notice were killed by bark beetles, but many other insects and diseases kill trees, often in less visible ways.
Native insects and diseases are a natural part of the forest, but they sometimes kill more trees than we want them to, especially when we have (often unknowingly) created a favorable environment for them. Unfortunately, many people do not act on insect and disease issues until they see conspicuous symptoms. Most methods to minimize forest insects and disease problems are preventive, and should be implemented before problems become obvious.
On Friday, July 23, the “Forest Insect & Disease Field Day” will give participants firsthand exposure to a wide range of organisms that impair the growth of trees and forests in northern Idaho, including: various bark beetle species; Armillaria and other root diseases; white pine blister rust; indian paint fungus, pini rot and other stem decays; and dwarf mistletoes. Experts will help participants identify insect and disease symptoms and discuss practical long and short term methods of dealing with them.
The program meets at 8 a.m. at the Boundary County Fairgrounds parking lot in Bonners Ferry and will end by 5 p.m. Those wishing to participate should pre-register at the University of Idaho Extension Office in Boundary County by Friday, July 16. A $15 registration fee covers resource materials and refreshments.
The program is eligible for six Idaho pesticide recertification credits and seven Idaho Pro-Logger credits. For registration questions, contact the University of Idaho Extension Office in Bonners Ferry at 208-267-3235. Registration forms can also be downloaded at uidaho.edu/extension/forestry.
Depending on COVID status that day, this program may be set up for physical distancing and masks may be required, per University of Idaho policy. The program is co-sponsored by University of Idaho Extension and the Idaho Department of Lands.