Mountain Pine Beetle in Ponderosa Pine–Prospects for Silvicultural Control in Second-Growth Stands

Abstract

Abstract Mountain pine beetle is the major insect enemy of second-growth ponderosa pine in many interior areas of the western United States. Severe tree killing occurs predominantly in dense stands where competition has substantially slowed growth of even the dominant trees. Experiments were begun in the 1960's to determine if beetle outbreaks can be prevented by silvicultural thinning. Early results indicate that thinning of dense stands deserves major emphasis in efforts to minimize this pest problem.