## Page 1

LC 5
United States
Department of
186153
Agriculture
Harvesting
Forest Service
Intermountain
for
Forest and
Strategies
Range
Experiment Station, ISDA
Ogden, UT 84401
of
Research Note
Management
INT-333
USAIE
July 1983
Mountain Pine
UAS
Beetle Infestations
in Lodgepole Pine:
Preliminary Evaluation, East Long Creek
Demonstration Area, Shoshone National
Forest, Wyoming
Walter E. Cole,' Donn B. Cahill,2
and Gene D. Lessard3
ABSTRACT
East Long Creek in the Shoshone National Forest is
Diameter-limit and leave-tree cuts were tested as
one of a series of demonstration area projects that
ways to reduce or minimize lodgepole pine losses to
used management alternatives derived from research
the mountain pine beetle. In the first year after treat-
(Cole and Cahill 1976) and small-scale tests (Cahill
ment, loss reductions were proportional to the intensity
1978; McGregor and Cole, in press) in an attempt to
of cut. According to the Rate of Loss Model, the
reduce or minimize lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var.
100-leave-tree cut was the best deterrent of recurring in-
latifolia Engelm.) losses to the mountain pine beetle
festation, measured as amount of losses and length of
(Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins).
time. The 100-leave-tree cut also should provide the
The objective of this initial large-scale application of
best regeneration and has the added benefit of reduc-
management alternatives was to prevent undue losses
ing dwarf mistletoe infection.
of lodgepole pine by changing or reducing the food
supply of the mountain pine beetle, and also to
KEYWORDS: mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus
manipulate the stand to grow at or near optimum site
ponderosae, lodgepole pine, Pinus contor-
capacity with continued prevention of large losses to
ta var. latifolia, harvest strategies
the beetle.
Some constraints on the project were to protect or
enhance key resource values, remove merchantable
material through a commercial timber sale, develop per-
manent access roads for general land use and manage-
ment, improve forest cover growing conditions through
disease control and stocking to attain timber produc-
tion potentials on regulated lands, and develop a cost-
benefit analysis for each strategy. This report is limited
Principal Entomologist, Population Dynamics of the Mountain Pine
to the reaction of the mountain pine beetle and tree
Beetle Research Work Unit, Intermountain Forest and Range Experi-
response the first
after
ment Station, Ogden, Utah.
growth
year
cutting.
CANUSA Entomologist, Forest Pest Management, Boise Zone Office,
Future efforts to manage stands to prevent losses to
Intermountain Region, USDA Forest Service, Boise, Idaho.
the beetle must be made before the beetle epidemic
"Entomologist, Forest Pest Management, Rocky Mountain Region,
USDA Forest Service, Lakewood, Colo.
cycle. East Long Creek Demonstration Area provided
this opportunity.
1

## Page 2

STUDY AREA
ft(13.7to 15.2 m) in 50 years in the Abies lasiocarpa-
The East Long Creek Demonstration Area lies be-
Vaccinium scoparium habitats.
tween 7,600 and 8,800 ft (2 317 and 2 683 m) elevation,
Throughout this area of the forest, basal area in
which is the lower half of the forested zone in the Wind
natural stands follows the site index values, with basal
River Drainage. The climate is cool and dry; moisture
areas as low as 65 ft'lacre (14 .4 m'/ha) on the lower site
availability is the most limiting growth factor during the
index areas and increasing to 140 ft'lacre (31.1 m'/ha) on
season.
the most productive sites. Total live conifer trees over 2
Soils are derived from sedimentary formations and
inches (5.08 cm diameter at breast height) (d.b.h.) on the
glacial moraines derived from the Wiggins formation.
1,789 acres (724 ha) cruised rarely exceeded 400 per acre
The clay content of the soils and seasonal distribution
(988 per ha).
of precipitation make natural regeneration difficult on
The demonstration area contained approximately 1,898
southerly and westerly aspects and flats, especially
acres (768 ha). Before harvesting, the area contained
below 8,500 ft (2 591 m).
3,777 board feet (bd.ft.) of gross green volume per acre
Cover types change with aspect and elevation; coni-
and 1,664 bd.ft. of dead standing volume per acre. Net
ferous trees grow only on favorable aspects below
volumes were 3,397 bd.ft. of green volume per acre and
7,600 ft (2: 317 m), and seldom occur on more adverse
1,332 bd.ft. of dead volume per acre, or 4,729 bd.ft. total
aspects at higher elevations.
net volume per acre.
Reestablishment of conifers following fire is extreme-
ly slow on adverse aspects. Recovery from any drastic
STAND PRESCRIPTIONS
disturbance on this area can be expected to be slow
unless seedlings are planted as the regeneration
Three general prescriptions were applied: (1) cutting
method. On some of the adverse aspects, the scattered
levels based on diameters, (2) leave-tree cuts, and (3)
limber pine (P. flexilis James) and lodgepole pine trees
clearcuts. In each case, the primary purpose was to
appear to be pioneers of a first generation forest.
remove the food supply from the beetle; the larger
The lower part of the coniferous cover could be
diameter trees generally contain the thicker phloem.
classed as Abies lasiocarpa-Arnical cordifolia habitat
However, other criteria were considered in each case.
type, milk vetch phase. This habitat type on the Wind
Each prescription required retention of adequate forest
River District has almost no potential to be dominated
cover to promote natural regeneration, wildlife needs,
by Abies lasiocarpa because the development of the
and visual qualities, and was designed to fit the condi-
climax community requires more time than is permitted
tion of the stand and its ecology to promote future
by the natural fire cycle.
development under natural conditions.
Inland Douglas-fir Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.]
The prescriptions and their applications were:
Franco) predominates in an alternative seral community
on this habitat type where soils are basic. At this eleva-
1. Diameter cuts.
tion, the inland Douglas-fir/mountain snowberry habitat
a. Cut all lodgepole pine 7 inches (17.78 cm) d.b.h.
is present on soils derived from limestone formations.
and larger and salvage dead trees 8 inches
Aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.)is a: short-lived
(20.32 cm) d.b.h. and larger. This prescription
seral community replaced by limber pine or lodgepole
was applied to three different stand conditions:
pine in the first generation. Retention of aspen as a
(1) Late transitional stands that had converted
cover type requires a reduction in competition for
to the spruce-fir type. The lodgepole pine
moisture and cutting the live aspen to break the auxin
component was decadent or dying rapidly.
flow so sprouting can occur.
In this case, adequate lodgepole pine grow-
In most of the stands in this zone, the lodgepole pine
ing stock was to be retained. Lodgepole
component of the stand is 150 to 200 years old and dy-
pine regeneration could be expected to fill
ing out rapidly. Younger stands are still dominated by
in openings created by logging.
lodgepole pine and have a manageable pole and small-
(2) Two-aged lodgepole pine stands that con-
size sawtimber component. This zone of the coniferous
tained very few tolerant trees. The
forest is an Abies lasiocarpa-Vaccinium scoparium
understory was primarily lodgepole pine,
habitat type.
and the residual stand of seedlings and
Regeneration following disturbance is more rapid in
saplings would be understocked. Trees less
this habitat and will tend to be mixed aged, with some
than 7 inches (17.78 cm) d.b.h. down to the
tolerant species seedlings and saplings present in the
seedling-sapling understory were not
first 50 years of stand development. The number of
suitable growing stock because of
spruce and fir trees present during early stand develop-
disease-dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium
ment probably depends on seed source, once the
americanum) and comandra blister rust
lodgepole pine component accomplishes the necessary
(Cronartium comandrae). It was necessary
site modification. In some cases, competition by density
on these sites to retain the undesirable pole
stocked lodgepole pine may reduce spruce and fir
timber to protect the site until natural
regeneration.
regeneration occurs to bring the seedling-
Site index values for lodgepole pine are 30 to 35 ft (9.1
sapling stand up to 300 per acre (121 per
to 10.7 m) in 50 years in the Abies lasiocarpa-Arnica
ha). Timely removal of mistletoe-infected
cordifolia-milk vetch phase habitat, increasing to 45 to 50
trees will be required.
2

## Page 3

In some cases where stocking was inade-
species were retained to result in an average stock-
quate and residual trees were sparse-less
ing of 100 trees per acre (40 per ha) over 7 inches
than 100 per acre (40 per ha)-planting
(17.78 cm) d.b.h.
would be necessary. Lodgepole pine or in-
Because of small islands of old lodgepole pine that
land Douglas-fir containerized stock should
escaped the fire that regenerated these two stands,
be planted at 200 to 400 trees per acre (81
and because these stands contained mistletoe in-
to 162 per ha) depending on the number and
fection centers, small clearcuts also were required.
size of residual growing stock trees.
Natural regeneration could be expected in 5 years
(3) Heavily stocked lodgepole pine pole timber
if these clearcuts did not exceed 5 acres (2 ha).
stands where the age and disease condi-
3. Clearcuts.
tions made regeneration of the stand
desirable, and enough trees less than 7
Six areas, averaging 14 acres (5.7 ha) each, were
inches (17.78 cm) d.b.h. were present to fur-
clearcut. These were in fire-regenerated pole timber
nish adequate cover to meet forest cover
stands. There were small islands of old-aged, larger
objectives, including site protection. Ade-
diameter lodgepole pine trees that were diseased
quate natural regeneration was expected in
and decadent. Some of these islands had lodge-
these stands.
pole pine and/or spruce-fir understories. Because of
b. Cut all lodgepole pine trees 10 inches (25.40 cm)
the heavy fuel accumulations in the pockets of old
growth, bulldozer piling and slash burning were
d.b.h. and larger and salvage all dead or at-
desirable to meet fuel management objectives.
tacked trees 8 inches (20.32 cm) d.b.h. and
larger. This prescription was applied to isolated
METHODS
stands in the unthinned component where
forest cover was not maintained for production
A total of 37 cutting units and one check block unit
of wood products, but primarily where lodge-
were laid out in the demonstration area:
pole pine was the principal component and
10 units in the 7-inch (17.78-cm) cutting block
cover objectives required retaining forest cover
17 units in the 10-inch (25.40-cm) cutting
to protect other values.
block
Site potential was low in these stands, eco-
2 units in the 12-inch (30.48-cm) cutting
systems were exceptionally fragile, and values
block
other than timber were paramount. The prescrip-
2 units in the 100-leave-tree cutting block
6 units in the clearcut block
tion was applied to stands that were sparsely
1 check block unit
stocked and on adverse aspects. These stands
were suspected to be first-generation coni-
Harvesting began in January 1979 and was completed
ferous forests, hence were fragile ecotones, and
in February 1981, well before the 1981 beetle flight. A
disruption could reverse ecologic trends. Subse-
summary of the pretreatment stand structure and pro-
quent treatments on regulated lands will be
posed cuts is shown in table 1.
overstory removal in one or two steps, depend-
A survey of the demonstration area was made in the
ing on disease conditions, regeneration suc-
spring of 1982 to determine tree loss to the mountain
cess, and visual quality needs.
pine beetle. A 20-percent survey was conducted in 22 of
C. Cut all lodgepole pine trees 12 inches (30.48 cm)
the 38 units:
d.b.h. and larger and salvage all dead or at-
6 of 10 units in the 7-inch (17.78-cm) cutting
tacked trees 8 inches (20.32 cm) and larger. This
block
prescription was applied to stands where lodge-
11 of 27 units in the 10-inch (25.40-cm) cutting
pole pine was the principal component, site
block
potential was extremely low, stands were
2 of 2 units in the 12-inch (30.48-cm) cutting
sparsely stocked, aspects were adverse, and
block
stands contained trees exceeding this diameter
2 of 2 units in the 100-leave-tree block
limit.
1 check block unit
2. Leave-tree cuts.
The 20-percent survey used a 1-chain-wide strip (20 m)
The leave-tree prescription was applied to two
every 5 chains (100 m) and recorded beetle-killed trees in
1979, 1980, and 1981, other causes of death, and
stands and required leaving 100 trees per acre (40
trees per ha), while removing the balance of the
diameter.
lodgepole pine component of the stand. All
Tree growth data were collected during the loss
selected leave trees were the largest, most
surveys. Basal area and radial growth measurements
were taken at 5-chain (100 m) intervals along the cruise
desirable lodgepole pine, growing stock, and suffi-
strip, using a 10 BAF gage. Unfortunately, similar data
cient desirable growing stock trees of other
were not taken before the harvest for comparison.
3

## Page 4

Table 1.-Summary of stand data and proposed cuts for East Long Creek Demonstration Area
Treatment
Stand structure and volumes
7-inch
10-inch
12-inch
100-leave-tree
Clearcut
Acres
Total
1,132.0
581.0
60.0
39.0
86.0
Mean
113.2
34.2
30.0
19.5
14.3
Live odgepole/acre
Total
1,633.0
3,668.0
686.0
428.0
1,475.0
Mean
163.3
215.7
343.0
214.0
245.8
X 7-inch
864.0
1,925.0
458.0
242.0
769.0
Mean
86.4
113.2
229.0
121.0
128.2
> 7-inch
769.0
1,743.0
228.0
186.0
706.0
Mean
76.9
102.5
114.0
93.0
117.7
>> 10-inch
352.0
656.0
88.0
62.0
271.0
Mean
35.2
38.6
44.0
31.0
45.2
>1 12-inch
166.0
282.0
14.0
24.0
156.0
Mean
16.6
16.6
7.0
12.0
26.0
Live species/acre
Subalpine fir and other
768.0
699.0
66.0
30.0
1,006.0
Mean
76.8
41.1
33.0
15.0
167.7
Engelmann spruce
194.0
47.2
0
2.4
248.0
Mean
19.4
2.8
0
1.2
41.3
Aspen
1,683.0
232.0
D
64.0
34.0
Mean
168.3
13.6
U
32.0
5.7
Proposed cut
TIA
769.0
656.0
14.0
228.0
1,475.0
Mean
76.9
38.6
7.0
114.0
245.8
Gross volumelacre
Live cut
4,468.0
3,518.0
3,683.0
3,205.0
4,093.0
Mean
4,468.0
3,518.0
3,683.0
3,205.0
4,093.0
Salvage cut
2,290.0
1,480.0
1,583.0
1,231.0
2,337.0
Mean
2,290.0
1,480.0
1,583.0
1,231.0
2,337.0
Gross volume (M)
Green
5,058.0
2,044.0
221.0
125.0
352.0
Mean
505.8
120.2
110.5
62.5
58.7
Dead (28")
2,592.0
860.0
95.0
48.0
201.0
Mean
259.2
50.6
47.5
24.0
33.5
Uncut per acre
Lodgepole pine (22")
891.0
2,916.0
558.0
39.0
877.0
Mean
89.1
171.5
279.0
19.5
146.2
Total trees (22")
1,602.0
3,661.0
624.0
43.0
2,132.0
Mean
160.2
215.4
312.0
21.5
355.3
Average gross volume
per acre (M)
Green
4.468
3.518
3.683
3.205
4.093
Dead
2.290
1.480
1.583
1.231
2.337
Average net volume
per acre (M)
Green
4.023
3.166
3.315
2.885
3.684
Dead
1.832
1.184
1.267
.985
1.870
Total adjusted net volume
Volume per acre
5.855
4.350
4.582
3.870
5.554
Net volume
6.628
2.528
275
.151
.478
4

## Page 5

RESULTS
Considering only the kill by the mountain pine beetle,
The stand structure changed proportionally to the in-
the trend for the 3 years (2 years before the cut was com-
tensity of harvest cut used in each block (table 2). Stand
pleted and 1 year after completed cuts) is rather
average diameter (d.b.h.) changes were:
dramatic (table 3 and fig. 1). In all cutting blocks, the
number of trees infested dropped considerably after
Original
Diameter
harvesting; the check block continued to lose trees
Treatment
diameter
after harvest
to
Inches
the beetle at about the same rate.
cm Inches cm
7-inch (17.78-cm) cut
7.8
19.81
7.0
17.78
It is evident that tree loss to secondary insects, such
10-inch (25.40-cm) cut
7.7
19.56
7.0
17.78
as Ips, Pityophthorus, Pityogenes, and Pityokteines, and
12-inch (30.48-cm) cut
7.4
18.80
7.3
18.54
comandra rust lessened after treatment (table 4). How-
100-leave-tree cut
7.5
19.05 8.0
20.32 ever, this apparent reduction of loss may be an artificial
effect of sampling, because the check areas also
showed no loss due to these factors in 1981 (the year
after cutting was completed).
Table 2.-Stand structure before and after cutting
Live lodgepole pine per acre by diameter class
Treatment
Before cut
After cut
Trees
<7 7-9 10-11 >12
cut per
<7 7-9 10-11 >12
Total inches inches inches inches
acre
Total inches inches inches inches
7-inch cut
163.3 86.4 41.7 18.6 16.6
76.9
86.4 86.4
0
0
10-inch cut
215.7 113.2 63.9 22.0 16.6
38.6
177.1 113.2 63.9
0
12-inch cut
343.0 229.0 70.0 37.0
7.0
7.0
336.0 229.0 70.0 37.0
0
100-leave-tree cut
214.0 121.0 62.0 19.0 12.0
114.0
100.0
Clearcut
245.8 128.2 72.5 19.2 26.0
245.0
0
0
9
0
Check area
251.0 255.0 196.0 91.0 42.0
0
251.0 255.0 196.0 91.0
42
'Data not available on distribution.
Include only 4- to 6-inch trees.
Table 3.-Tree mortality due to the mountain pine beetle
Number of trees killed per acre
Treatment
1979
1980
1981
7-inch cut
0.72
0.51
0.09
10-inch cut
.35
.66
.07
12-inch cut
.19
5.00
1.15
100-leave-tree cut
.20
10
Check area
2.53
5.77
4.23
a

## Page 6

7 INCH CUT
1.10 INCH CUT
12 INCH CUT
100-LEAVE-TREECUT
CHECK AREA
3
-
2
1979
1980
1981
Figure 1.-Tree loss due to the mountain beetle within the demonstration areas.

## Page 7

Table 4.-Trees killed per acre by cutting block, year, cause, and diameter
Year
Cause
Diameter of tree killed (inches)
Total Trees
Treat-
of
of
trees
killed
ment
kill
death
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 >> 17 killed per acre
7-inch 1979
MPB'
2 3 3 3 7 4 1 1
24
0.72
cut
Pity's?

3
.09
Total
3 3 4 4 7 4 1
27
81
1980
MPB
2 3 5 1 2 3 1
17
51
Pity's
2
.06
Comandra
1
.03
Total
2 4 6 1 2 3
20
.60
1981
MPB
3
.09
Total
3
.09
All years
4 5 8 10 8 6 4 3
1
50
1.51
10-inch 1979
MPB
1 2 2 10 2 2
21
.35
cut
Ips spp.
1 3 2
6
.10
Pity's
6 8 3 5
22
.36
Comandra
1 1
2
.03
Total
8 15 9 15 2 2
51
.84
1980
MPB
1 6 12 9 4 3 2
40
.66
Pity's
4 3 4
12
20
Comandra
2 2
5
.08
Total
5 11 18 11 4 3 2
1
57
.94
1981
MPB
1
4
.07
Total
1
1
4
.07
All years
13 26 28 27 7 5 2
1 1
112
1.78
12-inch 1979
MPB
1
.19
cut
Comandra 2
4
.77
Total
2
5
.96
1980
MPB
1 1 4 5 5 7 3
26
5.00
Pity's
1
1
.19
Comandra
1
1
.19
Total
1 2 4 5 6 7 3
28
5.38
1981
MPB
2
3
6
1.15
Total
1 2
3
6
1.15
All years
3 3 7 5 7 10 3
39
7.50
100-leave 1979
MPB
1
1
2
.20
tree cut
Ips spp.
1
1
3
.30
Total
2
5
.50
1980
MPB
1
.10
Ips spp.
1
2
20
Total
1 2
3
.30
1981
MPB
1
1
.10
Total
1
1
.10
All years
4 2 1 1
1
9
.90
Check
1979
MPB
4
9 5 9 1 5 1
36
2.53
area
Pity's
3
3
.21
Total
4 3 9 5 9 1 5
39
2.74
1980
MPB
1 1 4 11 14 18 10 8 6 1 2 6
82
5.77
Pity's
1
1
.07
Comandra
1
1
.07
Total
1 1 4 12 15 18 10 8 6 1 2 6
84
5.91
1981
MPB
6 5 9 11 13 6 5
4 1
60
4.23
Total
6 5 9 11 13 6 5
4 1
60
4.23
All years
1 5 13 26 29 38 24 19 12 2 6 7
183
12.88
'MPB = Mountain pine beetle.
*Pityophthorus, Pityogenes, and Pityokteines.
7

## Page 8

Adding thel loss due to the mountain pine beetle,
90
secondary insects, and comandra rust to the trees cut
per acre gives the gross number of trees removed and
thus the residual trees per acre (table 5). All cutting
80
blocks now contain almost the same number of trees per
acre, which is about one-half the number per acre now in
the check area, although the average stand diameter is
different.
0
Residual basal area followed the level of cut as would
be expected (fig. 2). Using the check blocks as a base,
then 66 percent of thel basal area was removed in the
U
7-inch (17.78-cm) blocks; 55 percent in the 10-inch
(25.40-cm) blocks; 45 percent in the 12-inch (30.48-cm)
blocks; and 63 percent in the 100-leave-tree blocks.
50
There was an apparent and slightly greater radial
growth, of those residual trees measured, in the 12-inch
(30.48-cm), 100-leave-tree, and check blocks as compared
U
to the 7-inch (17.78-cm) and 10-inch (25.40-cm) blocks
(fig. 3). This does not necessarily reflect release by cut-
ting, because only 1 to 21 years of growth occurred since
30
cutting was started.
Table 5.-Net effects to the stands from cutting levels and mortality factors
20
Trees per acre
10
Trees Killed by
Treatment Before Number
Residual
cut cut MPB' Ips spp. Pity's' Comandra
7-inch cut 163.3 76.9 1.32 0
0.15 0.03
84.90
7 inch 10 inch 12 inch 100 leave- check
10-inch cut 215.7 113.2 11.08 0.10 56
11
90.76
tree
12-inch cut 343.0 229.0 6.34 0
.19
.96
88.66
100-leave-
CUTTING BLOCKS
tree cut 214.0 114.0 .30 60 50
0
99.70
Check area 196.0 0 12.53 0
.28
.07 183.12
Figure 2.- Residual basal area of cutting
blocks.
'MPB = Mountain pine beetle.
Pityophthorus, Pityogenes, and. Pityokteines.
0.06
0.05
100- leave- tree
E
10 inch
0.04
12 inch
check area
A 0.03
-
- - 
7 inch
L ( 0.02
a
0.01
1972
'73
'74
'75
'76
'77
'78
'79
'80
'81
YEAR
Figure 3.-Average radial growth of stand per year for last 10 years by cutting block.
8

## Page 9

DISCUSSION
Having seen the immediate results of the cutting
levels, the question now is of the future of these stands,
with respect to the activity of the beetle and stand
development. The harvest levels reduced the current
level of loss somewhat proportionally, but will the beetle
resume killing trees at the same ratio as before treat-
ment or has a change been induced in the course of the
infestation? To project an answer to this question, these
mortality trend data were used in the Rate of Loss Model
(Cole and McGregor, in press) to predict the rate of
future treel loss and number of years of such an infesta-
tion (fig. 4).
50
45
40
35
L
30
check area
25
20
12 inch
.
15
7 inch
-
10
A
I
10 inch
-
5
4
I
100 - leave tree
- a
7
mm Hay 1 - - -
1980
1990
2000
2010
YEAR OF KILL
Figure 4.- I Predicted trees per acre killed by mountain pine
beetle, postharvest by cutting levels.

## Page 10

This projection showed that the infestation within the
The 100-leave-tree cut, according to these predictions,
check area: should peak in 1981, with 46.9 trees killed per
would reduce tree loss from the mountain pine beetle to
acre (19 perl ha), and subside to 1.1 trees per acre (0.44
al low amount. This cut would also be advantageous in
per ha) by 1989, tailing to 0.02 tree pera acre (0.008 per ha)
reducing or minimizing dwarf mistletoe occurrence
by 1993. The diameter-limit cuts reduced the peak loss
(Wicker 1967; Wicker and Shaw 1967). Once the area is
rather proportionally to the extent of cutting; for exam-
reseeded and the regeneration height exceeds snow
ple, peak kill was greater in the 12-inch (30.48-cm) cuts
depth, thel leave trees should be removed. The small
than in the 7-inch (17.78-cm) cuts. The expected length of
target area of the regeneration, the washing action of the
infestation changed: accordingly, with thel longest period
snow in removing dwarf mistletoe seeds, and the young
of outbreak expected for the 7-inch (17.78-cm) cut. The
stand being immune to the mountain pine beetle may
exception was the 100-leave-tree cut. This cut extended
well be thel keys to producing a healthy new stand of
the predicted life of thei infestation to the year 2012, with
lodgepole pine.
peak tree loss of only 1.5 trees per acre (0.61 per ha)in
they year 1993 (table 6).
SUMMARY
Table 6.- Predicted peak loss, length of infestation, and annual
The demonstration. area on which diameter-limit and
drain from the mountain pine beetle by cutting level
leave-tree cuts were applied to reduce or minimize
(trees per acre)
lodgepole pine losses to the mountain pine beetle was
evaluated the first year: after cutting. First-year losses
Treatment Peak Peak Years of Total Annual
were reduced proportionally to thei intensity of cut. Pro-
loss year infestation loss drain
jected losses and continuation of the mountain, pine
beetle infestation were derived from the predictive Rate
Check area 46.9 1981
14
180.5 12.9
of Loss Model. The best deterrent of recurring infesta-
12-inch cut 22.1 1981
18
80.1
4.4
tion-amount of losses and
of time - was
10-inch cut 10.3 1982
26
62.5
2.4
length
the
7-inch cut 12.3 1982
13
32.8
2.5
100-leave-tree cut. The 100-leave-tree cut also was the
100-leave-
best in encouraging regeneration and reducing dwarf
tree cut 1.5 1993
33
23.6
7
mistletoe infection.
10

## Page 11

PUBLICATIONS CITED
Cahill, Donn B. Cutting strategies as control measures
oft the mountain pine beetle in lodgepole pine in Colo-
rado. In: Berryman, Alan A.; Amman, Gene D.; Stark,
Ronald W., tech. eds. Theory and practice of mountain
pine beetle management in lodgepole pine forests:
symposium proceedings; 1978. April 25-27; Pullman,
WA. Moscow, ID: University of Idaho, Forest, Wildlife
and Rangel Experiment Station; 1978: 188-191.
Cole, Walter E.; Cahill, Donn B. Cutting strategies can
reduce probabilities of mountain pine beetle epidemics
in lodgepole pine. J. For. 74: 294-297; 1976.
Cole, Walter E.; McGregor, Mark D. Estimating the rate
and amount of tree loss from a mountain pine beetle
infestation. In press.
McGregor, Mark D.; Cole, Walter E. Harvesting strat-
egies for management of mountain pine beetle infesta-
tions inl lodgepole pine. In press.
Wicker, Ed F. Seed destiny: as a klendusic factor of in-
fection and its impact upon propagation of
Arceuthobium spp. Phytopathology. 57(11): 1164-1168;
1967.
Wicker, Ed F:; Shaw, C. Gardner. Target area as a
klendusic factori in dwarf mistletoe infections.
Phytopathology. 57(11): 1161-1163; 1967.
11

## Page 12

The Intermountain Station, headquartered in Ogden, Utah, is one
of eight regional experiment stations charged with providing scien-
tific knowledge to help resource managers meet human needs and
protect forest and range ecosystems.
The Intermountain Station includes the States of Montana,
Idaho, Utah, Nevada, and western Wyoming. About 231 million
acres, or 85 percent, of the land area in the Station territory are
classified as forest and rangeland. These lands include grass-
lands, deserts, shrublands, alpine areas, and well-stocked forests.
They supply fiber for forest industries; minerals for energy and in-
dustrial development; and water for domestic and industrial con-
sumption. They also provide recreation, opportunities for millions
of visitors each year.
Field programs and research work units of the Station are main-
tained in:
Boise, Idaho
Bozeman, Montana (in cooperation with Montana State
University)
Logan, Utah (in cooperation with Utah State University)
Missoula, Montana (in cooperation with the University
of Montana)
Moscow, Idaho (in cooperation with the University of
Idaho)
Provo, Utah (in cooperation with Brigham Young Univer-
sity)
Reno, Nevada (in cooperation with the University of
Nevada)
ORES VICE
UAS
SATMENTOFAG AGRICV
fr US. GOVERNMENTI PRINTINGOFFICE: 1983-676-032/10211 REGIONNO. 8