One of two Engelmann Spruce trees in the southwest yard of the Touber Building in Salida is infected with Ips beetles and will be removed to prevent the insect from spreading to nearby trees. Ips beetles are a common species of beetle affecting spruce trees in landscaped settings. They are capable of attacking weakened trees of all sizes. The beetle most likely flew to the tree last spring and recently the tree is showing obvious signs of death.
The City of Salida has hired Terra Firma Forestry, an ISA-Certified tree company, to remove the spruce trees and properly dispose of any wood with the beetle infestation.
According to Terra firma Forestry, a tree stressed by the urban environment is a compromised tree and it struggles to protect itself. Beetles bore into the bark of trees that do not have a proper defense. The adult beetles chew the tree underneath the bark and create areas to lay their eggs called “galleries”. The eggs hatch quickly and continue to tunnel under the bark thus creating more galleries. The problem with these galleries is that they cut the flow of water and nutrients within the tree, therefore not allowing the tree’s plumbing mechanism to carry on its life-giving functions.
Ips typographus on wood photographed with high magnification. Image courtesy of Bugspray.com
Next to the infected tree is a second tree connected by underground roots and fungal networks which means the death of the infected tree will also kill the second. This will come either through wind-throw resulting from the absence of shared support or through beetle infestation as a new generation of beetles emerge and fly the short 10-foot distance to the companion tree.
The City says that it decided to act responsibly and quickly to prevent the beetle from spreading to other landscaped pine and spruce trees in the city neighborhood. The trees are scheduled to be removed in early March, weather permitting.
Salida homeowners and renters are advised to take note of a change in a tree’s health and appearance. The city also recommends avoiding urban stress factors such as root compaction and take all precautions to keep heavy equipment and high traffic away from the tree canopy dropline. Concrete, foundation and excavation work will stress a tree and reduce its ability to defend itself.
Contact Angie Jenson, ISA-Certified Arborist at Terra Firma Forestry with any further questions at 719-539-4944.
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