Sunnybrae Area: The areas where high populations of Bark Beetle exist are primarily in the mid to upper slopes above Sunnybrae road. Lower slope populations exist in the Reinecker creek draw and upper falls trail, and continue east just past the old Co-op Log Booms. As well, some active populations around Paradise Point.
Much like last year, logging activity in the Reinecker creek Woodlot and Totem areas will continue to remove a portion of the beetle population. Decked green logs and special luring funnel traps set during May-July help lure and capture bark beetles in planned harvesting areas only. Luring beetles with attractants is strictly reserved for timber harvesting areas due to the number of beetles it attracts. Afterwards, hauling out these infested logs to the mill will smash up and kill the beetles during the process.
Salmon Arm Area: Small pockets of active bark beetle are evident throughout the wooded slopes of Salmon Arm. I have done some assessments and pheromone patches in the Raven subdivision area, and Lakeshore road. These small populations may have initially started with the attraction of some windfall trees and some green felled Douglas –fir trees 3-5 years ago. Of particular concern, are the drought stressed trees that have succumbed to the Flat Headed Fir Borer (see attached info sheet). I am gathering more information on this forest pest, and hope to better understand the population trend.
Sorrento / Blind Bay / Eagle Bay / White Lake / North Shore: Assessments were mostly carried out in parks and trails in these areas. Active Bark Beetle populations were identified and Pheromone Patches were placed in an effort to protect the largest diameter and old growth remaining trees: · Along the upper slopes of Balmoral trails – within the working forest cut-block edges · Shannon Beach upper trails · Wild Rose Bay Park upper slopes (older wind fall event) · Ferrels Field Park (southern portion of forested reserve) · Evelyn Falls Trail – confined to most all the large trees in creek draw · Skimikin Lake Rec site –Test trapping, and tree felling confirmed the majority of mortality around the campsites was the flat headed fir borer.
More info on the Flat Headed Fir Borer: Woodpeckers are flaking off the bark on dying Douglas –fir trees. These bark stripped faced trees are becoming more evident throughout the region this year. After falling and sampling infested trees , I reviewed the data with two local Entomologists. We have identified much of these bark stripped trees are infested with a wood boring beetle species called a flatheaded fir borer. The Woodpeckers are attracted to the large woodborer grubs under the bark. This likely is a result of heat-drought stress. Woodborers do not typically attack live trees, but some species will. (See info attachment and photos below). Douglas-fir bark beetles, and flatheaded fir borers are a natural forest pest that is part of our ecosystem. Unfortunately, natural and un-natural conditions, such as fire suppression and climate change, have them encroaching on healthy, veteran, and large mature trees within our special areas.
Respectfully, J Corey Matheson, RFT Good Nature Forest Consulting
See attached photos of fresh Bark Beetle attack on a GREEN Douglas-fir tree
Orange colored frass ‘ sawdust extracted from a Bark Beetle burrowing into a green wind-felled Douglas-fir tree
*Special Note regarding a different Forest Pest:
Flatheaded fir borer (Phaenops drummondi prev. Melanophila) is a type of Buprestid wood boring beetle that feeds under the bark, like a bark beetle. Wood boring beetles found in conifers aid in wood decomposition and tend to be secondary, in that they “typically” don’t kill trees on their own but instead infest dead or dying trees. In some cases, Flatheaded fir borer, can act like a primary insect pest by killing healthy looking trees on harsh, dry sites - particularly following droughts such as the 2021 Heat Dome.
Click here for more information on wildfire, drought and Douglas fir beetles from the BC Government.
