mountain pine beetle

Smooth Bark Matters

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If you’ve driven around the country in recent years, it’s likely you’ve seen vast stretches of pine forest wiped out by the mountain pine beetle. This beetle naturally occurs in North American forests, but changing climatic conditions are causing outbreaks …

Tanoak mortality in Humboldt County. Photo Credit, Yana Valachovic, UCCE Humboldt County

Why are all the tanoaks dying?

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During a recent walk through Sam MacDonald Park in San Mateo County, I noticed many downed, brown-leafed tanoak trees amongst the towering redwoods. At first I wondered why the county would cut down so many trees, but then I realized …