Registration due July 29 for “Forest Insect & Disease Field Day” in St. Maries

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. Most methods to minimize forest insects and disease problems are preventative and should be implemented before problems become obvious.

On Friday, August 25, the “Forest Insect & Disease Field Day” will give participants first hand 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 rot, 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 Benewah County Fairgrounds parking lot in St. Maries and will end by 5 p.m. Those wishing to participate should pre-register by Friday, July 29. A $15 registration fee covers publications and refreshments. For registration questions, contact the University of Idaho Extension Office in Benewah County at 208-245-2422. Registration forms can also be downloaded at www.uidaho.edu/extension/forestry/programs (click on “Strengthening Forest Stewardship Skills”)

The program is eligible for four Idaho pesticide recertification credits and six Idaho Pro-Logger credits. The “Forest Insect & Disease Field Day” is an Idaho Forest Stewardship program, co-sponsored by University of Idaho Extension, the Idaho Department of Lands and many other agencies and organizations.