Methodology To Assess Shelf Life Attributes Of Mountain Pine Beetle Killed Trees

"A study took place near Quesnel, BC, in November, 2004, to test a sampling procedure designed to determine which attributes of beetle-killed lodgepole pine trees resulted in a reduction in lumber recovery and product value over time. Old grey-attack trees were destructively sampled, and sampled trees, discs and logs were analyzed. The test results provided preliminary information on variables pertaining to log and wood quality and quantity of beetle-killed timber within older grey-attack stands."--Document.

In 2006, a total of 360 lodgepole pine trees were destructively sampled from 45 sites that had been killed by mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonous ponderosae Hopk.). The trees were sampled from the Sub Boreal Spruce (SBS) Biogeoclimatic zone within north central British Columbia. The trees were distributed evenly across the geographic areas as well as across a sample matrix that included three classes of time since death, three classes of diameter at breast height, and three classes of soil moisture regime. A previous report described the procedures used to the collect the data and summarized the data collected for each of the sample trees. The current study analyzes the data and presents a detailed assessment of the changes in the wood quality attributes of mountain pine beetle-killed trees that occur within 5 years since death.--Includes text from document.

To assess the potential to store beetle-killed logs under insulated snowpacks in British Columbia to preserve wood quality and maximize value recovery, we reviewed the literature and visited operations in eastern Canada, where the technique has been recently adapted to routine operations, and in Finland, where 3.5 million m3 of timber are stored under snow annually. We also visited storage terminals in Sweden where very large volumes of sawtimber have been stored since 2005. We identified three roles that cold storage could play in responding to the current mountain pine beetle outbreak: (1) where the outbreak is expanding rapidly and green-attack volume exceeds capacity of mills to process all logs prior to dispersal flight, cold storage can prevent development and dispersal of beetles before milling late in the season; (2) where significant value is lost between harvesting and processing due to checking after delivery to the mill, cold storage can maintain moisture content and extend the time frame for achieving higher economic recovery; and, (3) where there is an opportunity to store large volumes of quality logs, doing so for an extended period (more than one year) may help defer or moderate anticipated social, environmental and economic impacts in the areas most affected by the mountain pine beetle outbreak. We report on discussions with woodland and plant managers in British Columbia on how the technique might be adapted to western Canadian operations and possible impediments to implementation, and we present recommendations.

"This book presents a synthesis of published information on mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins [Coleoptera: Scolytidae]) biology and management with an emphasis on lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) forests of western Canada. Intended as a reference for researchers as well as forest managers, the book covers three main subject areas: mountain pine beetle biology, management, and socioeconomic concerns. The chapters on biology cover taxonomy, life history and habits, distribution, insect-host tree interactions, development and survival, epidemiology, and outbreak history. The management section covers management strategy, survey and detection, proactive and preventive management, and decision support tools. The chapters on socioeconomic aspects include an economic examination of management programs and the utilization of post-beetle salvage timber in solid wood, panelboard, pulp and paper products."--Publisher's description.

Two empirical methods for rating susceptibility of mountain pine beetle attack in ponderosa pine were evaluated. The methods were compared to stand data modeled to objectively rate each sampled stand for susceptibly to bark-beetle attack. Data on bark-beetle attacks, from a survey of 45 sites throughout the Colorado Plateau, were modeled using logistic regression to estimate the probability of attack on individual trees from tree and stand variables. The logistic model allowed flexibility to easily scale results up to a stand level for comparison to the empirical methods. The empirical method, developed by Munson and Anhold, most closely correlated to the logistic regression results. However, the Munson/Anhold method rated all 45 study sites as either moderately or highly susceptible to bark-beetle attack, which raises concern about its lack of sensitivity. Future work on evaluating risk of bark-beetle impact should consider more than stand characteristics.

This document provides a synthesis of recently completed studies to assess the ecological consequences of forest management after attack by mountain pine beetle or other large-scale disturbances. Studies are assessed for their contributions to gaps in knowledge previously identified in the Mountain Pine Beetle Initiative Working Paper "Evaluating effects of large scale salvage logging for mountain pine beetle on terrestrial and aquatic vertebrates," which was published in 2004. This report focuses on studies developed through the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Initiative, the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program, and the complementary BC Forest Science Program. Relevant information from other jurisdictions is sometimes included to augment those studies. Topics examined are: the impacts of beetle kill and salvage operations on habitat attributes; the impacts of beetle kill and salvage operations on attendant processes, such as snag fall rates, light interception, and snow accumulation; and the wildlife response to large-scale beetle outbreaks and management strategies. For each of these three topics, we provide a summary of: research to date; pertinent findings to date; and gaps in research.