Microclimate: an alternative to tree vigor as a basis for mountain pine beetle infestations

Dale L. Bartos; Gene D. Amman

doi:10.2737/INT-RP-400

Treesearch

Microclimate: an alternative to tree vigor as a basis for mountain pine beetle infestations

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Dale L. Bartos, Gene D. Amman

Year:

1989

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/INT-RP-400

Source:

Res. Pap. INT-RP-400. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station. 10 p.

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Download (PDF 1.09 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/43374.pdf

Abstract

Thinning lodgepole pine stands increased light intensity, wind movement, insolation, and temperature. Temperatures on the south exposure of tree trunks and of soil were significantly higher in thinned than unthinned stands. Light and wind also were higher in the thinned stand. Fewer mountain pine beetles were caught in pheromone-baited traps in a thinned than in an adjacent unthinned stand. Percentage of trees killed by mountain pine beetle was only 2 percent in a thinned stand compared to 16 percent in an adjacent unthinned stand.

Keywords

Pinus contorta, Dendroctonus ponderosae, pheromone, lodgepole pine

Citation

Bartos, Dale L; Amman, Gene D. 1989. Microclimate: an alternative to tree vigor as a basis for mountain pine beetle infestations. Res. Pap. INT-RP-400. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station. 10 p.