Proline Heritage Oak Farm

An infestation by Douglas fir tussock moths has claimed 13,000 acres of forest in Idaho, killing trees and driving the Idaho Department of Land to hold salvage timber sales. Infestations are cyclical, occurring every 8-12 years, and lasting 2-4 years. Though trees can sometimes recover, with severe infestations such as this one, damage can lead to tree death. One of the Most Damaging Defoliators Though the Douglas fir tussock moths prefer the Douglas fir, they will sometimes move to other conifer species such as true firs or spruce. The pests feed on foliage, beginning at the crown and tips and working toward the interior of the tree. Foliage shrivels and browns, leaving trees with a skeleton-like appearance as foliage disappears. Dead Tree Dangers Once the firs have succumbed to the moths, they pose a considerable safety risk. The timber poses a fire hazard intensified by the piles of needles left below trees. The dead timber also increases the risk of bark beetle at...

Extremely low temperatures that swept the upper Midwest jeopardized people, animals, and many trees, shrubs, and plants. Another result that tree experts are debating is the impact of this polar vortex on Emerald Ash Borers that have such a devastating, sometimes fatal, impact on Midwest Ash trees. The debate pertains to whether the extreme cold helped the trees by killing off these insects or whether the cold had little impact on their population. What is the Emerald Ash Borer? While the adult beetle itself ingests exterior foliage, it does little damage. The larvae, however, chow down on the inner bark of the ash trees, disrupting the normal flow of water and nutrients, and can eventually kill off the tree. So, the question is: even though there is much optimism among some experts, did this recent period of brutal, sub-zero weather kill off the existing Emerald Ash Borer larvae population enough to save the Midwest Ash population? Did the 2019 Polar Vortex Act...

What is Pine Bark Beetle? The various species of pine bark beetle can cause significant devastation to plants and most notably, pine tree varieties. The appearance of these is usually noticeable following severe weather conditions that weaken trees and shrubs. Healthy, thriving trees are not often attacked, although prevention is still essential. Damage occurs as these beetles enter the inner bark level which interferes with the tree’s ability to absorb water and nutrients. Some pine bark beetles introduce a symbiotic fungus that further devastates a weakened tree. As a result, the trees die. Species of Pine Bark Beetles According to the U.S. Forest Service , there are over 600 species of pine bark beetle. Some of the most notable are: ●      Mountain Pine Beetle ●      IPS Pine Engraver Beetle ●      Black Turpentine Beetle ●      Southern Pine Beetle In recent years, the mos...